NEW DELHI: India batter Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 50-over World Cup will be his final World Cup appearance for the country.
Kohli said he is determined to give everything in his final campaign and help India win the trophy.
The 37-year-old is the leading century-maker in ODI cricket with 54 hundreds. He has scored 14,941 ODI runs, second only to India great Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426.
Kohli has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket. He now represents India only in the ODI format.
“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli told broadcaster JioStar on Saturday.
“That is my motivation and to leave everything out there. The goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said.
Kohli Targets Final World Cup Trophy
Kohli won the 2011 World Cup with India on home soil.
India later reached the 2023 World Cup final but lost to Australia.
The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October to November.
The tournament will mark Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup.
Kohli said the 50-over World Cup presents a major physical and mental challenge because of the intensity involved.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” he said.
He added that players must maintain Twenty20-level intensity across a much longer tournament.
Kohli also highlighted the challenge of playing in foreign conditions.
Rohit Sharma Also Eyes 2027 World Cup
Former India captain Rohit Sharma also remains motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign.
Rohit, who now plays only ODI cricket for India, said he continues to have goals while he remains an active player.
“As long as you’re playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I’m looking forward to the World Cup,” Rohit said.
Kohli and Rohit were both included in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.
The opening match of the series is scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
