Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final tournament appearance in India colors, pointing to a deep sense of unfinished business following the 2023 final loss to Australia. Speaking in a September 2026 interview with Abhinav Mukund on JioStar, the 37-year-old batter stated that his sole motivation is to leave everything out there and capture the trophy in southern Africa.
Kohli Confirms 2027 ODI World Cup Retirement Plan
As India builds toward the 2027 ODI World Cup hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Kohli has made his timeline explicit. Approaching 38, the veteran right-hander transitioned to a one-format international player alongside Rohit Sharma after retiring from Tests and T20Is. According to Cricinfo data, Kohli’s white-ball output has surged since the start of 2025, where he boasts an average of 58.59 and a strike rate of 99.80 under a conscious shift to play with greater freedom.
“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India, and that is my motivation – to leave everything out there,” Kohli told JioStar. He admitted that the defeat in Ahmedabad during the 2023 final still lingers, drawing parallels to the flashbacks he experienced after Royal Challengers Bengaluru dropped the 2016 Indian Premier League final to Sunrisers Hyderabad before winning the title in 2025.
Chasing Redemption in Southern Africa
Firstpost coverage highlights that fellow senior batter Rohit Sharma, age 39, shares a similarly relentless drive as the squad approaches the tournament. Sharma noted in reporting by Firstpost that the thought of finished business never crosses his mind while he remains active on the international stage.
Kohli emphasized that his primary ambition is to deliver match-winning performances when it matters most. “My dream is to play a match-winning, finishing knock in the finals, like chasing a score,” Kohli said. “That’s the ideal scenario. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t happen, we win the World Cup, I’ll be as happy.”
Did You Know?
Virat Kohli was part of the India squad that lifted the ODI World Cup under MS Dhoni’s captaincy back in 2011, giving him a unique bridge between past championship success and the upcoming 2027 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next ODI World Cup?
The next ICC Men’s ODI World Cup is scheduled for late 2027 and will be hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Which formats does Virat Kohli currently play?
Following his retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Kohli represents India exclusively in One Day Internationals.
What did Kohli say about his future with India?
Kohli confirmed via JioStar that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final global tournament appearance for the national team.
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