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Kohli confirms 2027 World Cup will be his last for India
Published : Saturday, 26 September, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Observer Online Report
Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final World Cup for India, saying he is determined to give his all to help the team win the title.
The 37-year-old has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket and now represents India only in ODIs. He is the leading century-maker in ODI cricket with 54 hundreds and has scored 14,941 runs in the format, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426.
Kohli was part of India’s World Cup-winning squad in 2011 and also played in the 2023 final, where India lost to Australia.
The 2027 World Cup, scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November, will be Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup.
“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 ... 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 said playing in a 50-over World Cup is one of cricket’s toughest challenges, particularly with the next tournament being held outside India.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” he said, adding that maintaining that intensity throughout a major tournament in foreign conditions requires a lot from players.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma, who also now plays only ODIs, said he remains motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign.
“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 have both been included in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The opening match is scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
- MaT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
