Virat Kohli said next year’s 50-over World Cup would be his last for India and he is ready to give his all to help lift the trophy. The leading century-maker in ODIs with 54 hundreds, has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket and now only represents India in the 50-over format. The 37-year-old batter, who has scored 14,941 runs in one-day internationals, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426, won the World Cup on home soil in 2011 before suffering defeat in the 2023 final against Australia.
The 2027 edition, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October to November, will be Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready.” Kohli said the demands of a 50-over World Cup made it one of cricket’s toughest challenges, particularly with the tournament set to be played away from home. Because now, it’s about 10 games at a Twenty20 level of intensity,” he said.
And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it’s in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you.” Former captain Rohit Sharma, who also plays only ODIs for India, said he remained fully motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign.
And I’m looking forward to the World Cup.” Kohli and Rohit were both named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against West Indies. The opening match will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
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