‘It’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India’: Kohli
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has announced that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final appearance in the tournament for India. He and teammate Rohit Sharma expressed their intense focus and motivation to succeed in the upcoming competition.
Why it matters
Kohli is a global sports icon, and his retirement plans from major ICC tournaments represent a significant transition point for Indian cricket.
Virat Kohli has said next year's ODI World Cup will be his last for India, and that he is going to "leave everything out there" to win the trophy.
Kohli (37), who now plays only one format, spoke to JioStar ahead of the ODI series against West Indies starting here on Sunday (September 27, 2026). The World Cup will be hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
"For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India. And that is my motivation. 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," he said.
Kohli has been part of an ODI World Cup-winning side, having played under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy in the 2011 edition of the tournament.
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