Virat Kohli says 2027 World Cup will be his last for India

Virat Kohli notes 2027 World Cup will be his last for India.

Key points

• 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.
• Kohli, the leading century-maker in ODIs with 54 hundreds, retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket earlier and now represents India only in the 50-over format.
• Virat Kohli remarked next year's 50-over World Cup would be his last for India, and he is ready to provide his all to support lift the trophy.
• "For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India, " Kohli informed broadcaster JioStar on Saturday.

Virat Kohli notes 2027 World Cup will be his last for India. Reuters Published September 26, 2026 Updated September 26, 2026 05: 30pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

In practice, 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.

In practice, 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.

"That is my motivation and, like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup, and whatever it takes, I'm absolutely ready."

Kohli remarked the demands of a 50-over World Cup produced it one of cricket's toughest challenges, particularly with the tournament set to be played away from home.

"The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Since now, it's concerning 10 games at a Twenty20 level of intensity, " he noted.

"But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a major tournament and World Cup is a sizeable accord. Additionally now, it's in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you."

Former captain Rohit Sharma. This person additionally plays only ODIs for India, stated he remained fully motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign.

"The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished, " Rohit remarked.

"As long as you're playing, there is always something to look forward to. 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.

Taken together, the developments around virat Kohli says 2027 World Cup will be his last for India point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.