Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has declared that the upcoming ICC 50-over World Cup, scheduled for next year, will mark his final appearance representing India in the tournament. The 37-year-old batsman is determined to give his absolute best to help India lift the coveted trophy.
Kohli, the leading century-maker in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with 54 hundreds, has retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket, now focusing solely on the 50-over format. He has amassed 14,941 runs in ODIs, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 18,426 runs. Kohli was part of the victorious Indian team during the 2011 World Cup held on home soil but faced defeat in the 2023 final against Australia.
The 2027 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October to November, will be Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup appearance. Speaking on JioStar, he emphasized his motivation to leave everything on the field, stating, “For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. That is my motivation and, of course, the goal is to win the World Cup at all costs. I am absolutely ready for whatever it takes.”
Kohli highlighted the extreme demands of the 50-over World Cup, calling it one of cricket’s most grueling challenges. He explained that the intensity rivals playing multiple T20 matches daily, especially as the tournament will be held in foreign conditions, which adds to the difficulty.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. It’s like playing about 10 games at a Twenty20 level of intensity, but condensed. You are essentially playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. Maintaining that level of performance across 10 matches in a major tournament like the World Cup is a huge challenge,” Kohli said.
Meanwhile, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who also now focuses exclusively on ODIs, expressed his continued enthusiasm for the game and the upcoming World Cup. “The thought that my career is over never crosses my mind. As long as I am playing, there is always something to look forward to, and I am excited about the World Cup,” he remarked.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, with the opening game scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
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