Former India captain Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final World Cup appearance for India, as the veteran batter sets his sights on one last opportunity to lift the trophy.
Kohli, 37, now plays only ODI cricket after retiring from Test and T20 international cricket. The 2027 World Cup will be his fifth appearance in the tournament, with the competition scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The batter said the prospect of playing in one final World Cup is providing additional motivation as he prepares for the tournament.
Kohli Targets One Final World Cup
Kohli said his primary objective is to help India win the 2027 World Cup and that he is prepared to put in the required effort.
“The goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said, according to Samaa.
The 2027 tournament will be played in October and November, with the three host nations sharing responsibilities for the event.
For Kohli, the tournament would represent another chapter in a World Cup career that began in 2011.
Fifth World Cup Appearance
Kohli was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team under captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
He later featured in India’s campaigns at the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions. India reached the final of the 2023 World Cup but lost to Australia on home soil.
The 2027 tournament would therefore be Kohli’s fifth men’s ODI World Cup.
The veteran batter has previously spoken about his desire to continue playing ODI cricket and was still part of India’s ODI plans during 2026. The ICC reported in May that Kohli remained committed to featuring in the 2027 World Cup.
Kohli Continues as an ODI Specialist
Kohli retired from T20 internationals in 2024 and from Test cricket in 2025, leaving ODI cricket as his only international format.
The ICC currently lists him as a 37-year-old right-handed batter whose international career continues through the ODI format.
His continued involvement with India’s ODI side has made him part of the team’s preparations for the next World Cup.
The veteran’s experience will also be relevant as India develops its squad for the 2027 tournament.
Kohli’s ODI Numbers
Kohli remains one of the most prolific batters in ODI cricket.
The Samaa report puts his tally at 54 ODI centuries and 14,941 runs, while the ICC has previously identified him as the format’s leading century-maker and among its highest run-scorers.
His World Cup record is also notable. At the 2023 World Cup, Kohli scored 765 runs, the highest individual tally in a single men’s World Cup edition at the time, and was named Player of the Tournament.
His performances have made him a central figure in India’s World Cup campaigns over more than a decade.
The Challenge of a 50-Over World Cup
Kohli also highlighted the physical and mental demands associated with a 50-over World Cup.
He said maintaining the required intensity across a tournament can be particularly demanding, especially when teams have to play multiple matches in different conditions.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” Kohli said.
He also noted that maintaining that intensity for as many as 10 matches and competing in foreign conditions can take a significant amount from players.
India Begins 2027 Preparations
India’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup will include a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, with Kohli included in the squad.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has also been selected for the series. Sharma, who is now also an ODI-only international player, has expressed his desire to continue toward another World Cup campaign.
The presence of both experienced batters gives India two players with extensive World Cup experience as the team begins building toward the next tournament.
Experience Remains Part of India’s Plans
India’s coaching staff has also highlighted the value of Kohli and Rohit’s experience.
The ICC previously reported that India’s limited-overs setup viewed the pair as important sources of experience as preparations for the 2027 World Cup developed.
Kohli’s latest comments make his own timeline clearer: the 2027 tournament is set to be his final World Cup appearance.
For Indian cricket, the tournament could therefore mark the final World Cup campaign of one of the country’s most prominent ODI batters.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Kohli will now have the upcoming ODI series and the next year of international cricket to prepare for what he has confirmed will be his final World Cup.
His stated goal is straightforward: to help India win the trophy.
The tournament will bring together teams from around the world across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the competition scheduled for October and November 2027.
For Kohli, it will be an opportunity to make one final World Cup appearance and compete for another major international title in the ODI format.
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