Virat Kohli has announced that next year’s 50-over World Cup will mark the end of his ODI career with India, saying he is determined to give everything he has to help the team win the title.
Kohli, who holds the record for most ODI centuries with 54, has already stepped away from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, and now plays for India exclusively in the one-day format.
The 37-year-old has amassed 14,941 runs in ODIs, the second-highest tally in history behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426. Kohli was part of India’s triumphant 2011 World Cup-winning squad on home soil, and more recently featured in the losing side of the 2023 final against Australia. The upcoming 2027 tournament, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia between October and November, will be his fifth World Cup appearance.
“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli said in comments to broadcaster JioStar on Saturday. “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 described the 50-over World Cup as among the most demanding challenges in the sport, especially given that this edition will be played on foreign soil.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Because now, it’s about 10 games at a Twenty20 level of intensity,” he explained. “But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. 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 India captain Rohit Sharma, who like Kohli now plays only the ODI format for the national side, said he too remains fully driven ahead of another World Cup cycle.
“The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished,” Rohit said. “As long as you’re playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I’m looking forward to the World Cup.”
Both Kohli and Rohit have been included in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, which begins with the first match in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.