Kohli eyes 2027 ODI World Cup: 'Playing for India is amazing'
Synopsis
Virat Kohli isn't done yet — and he's made it plain. In a frank RCB podcast conversation, the 54-century batter said he wants to play the 2027 ODI World Cup for India, describing it as 'amazing,' while also drawing a quiet line: he'll play where he's valued, not where he has to justify himself. A fifth World Cup appearance would cement a legacy that already stands alone.
Key Takeaways
Virat Kohli confirmed his ambition to play the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup in an RCB podcast episode released on 15 May 2026 .
Kohli has 54 ODI centuries and 14,797 runs , making him the second-highest run-getter in ODI history.
He has retired from T20Is (2024) and Test cricket (2025) but remains active in ODIs.
Recent form includes scores of 131 and 77 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and three hundreds and three fifties in his last seven ODI innings .
India face Afghanistan in ODIs in June and England in July as World Cup preparations build.
Virat Kohli has emphatically reaffirmed his desire to represent India at the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, stating in a candid conversation that his commitment to preparation remains as intense as ever and that featuring in a global tournament for the country is 'amazing.' The former India captain made the remarks in an episode of the RCB podcast released on Friday, 15 May 2026.
Kohli's Commitment in His Own Words
'We're in mid-2026. I have been asked many times, ‘Do you want to play in 2027?’ Why would I leave home, get my stuff over and be like ‘I don’t know what I want’. Of course, if I’m playing, I want to play cricket, I want to carry on. Playing a World Cup for India is amazing,' Kohli said on the podcast.
He went further, outlining the standards he holds himself to: 'You want me to run from boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game, I will do that without a complaint. Because I prepare accordingly. I prepare for the fact that I will field 50 overs every ball like it’s the last ball I’m going to play in my career.'
Where Kohli Stands in India's ODI Setup
Despite retiring from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025, Kohli remains a central figure in India's one-day setup. He carries 54 centuries and 14,797 runs in ODIs, making him the second-highest run-getter in the format's history. He has already appeared in four World Cups, including the victorious 2011 campaign on home soil.
His recent form underlines his continued relevance. Kohli scored 131 and 77 for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has accumulated three hundreds and three fifties across his last seven ODI innings against New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.
The Value Question — On His Own Terms
Kohli was pointed about the conditions under which he sees himself continuing. 'Today, my perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I’m a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I’ll be seen. If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space,' he said.
Notably, this is a shift in framing from earlier in his career — Kohli is no longer motivated primarily by numbers or milestones, but by what he describes as an organic connection to the game. 'The importance of achieving and numbers and all those kind of things, it acts as a motivation factor earlier, but the more you do it, the more you realize that it’s actually not what your purpose is in the game,' he elaborated.
India's Road to the 2027 World Cup
India's upcoming ODI calendar provides Kohli with immediate opportunities to press his case. A home series against Afghanistan in June will feature matches at Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, followed by three ODIs against England in July. Both series are seen as key building blocks in India's preparation for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup.
With the tournament still over a year away, Kohli's continued form and fitness will determine whether his ambition translates into a fifth World Cup appearance — a milestone that would place him in rare company in the history of the game.
Point of View
Not ambition. His insistence that he won't be in a space where he has to 'prove worth' signals that the selection conversation around him will need to be handled carefully by team management. At 37-plus by 2027, the debate won't be about desire or even form — it will be about whether the selectors and the dressing room see him as a first-choice pick or a legacy concession. That distinction matters enormously for squad balance.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Virat Kohli confirmed he will play the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Kohli has reaffirmed his desire to feature in the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, saying on the RCB podcast that 'playing a World Cup for India is amazing.' While he has expressed clear intent, final selection will depend on form, fitness, and team management decisions.
How many ODI centuries and runs does Virat Kohli have?
Kohli has scored 54 centuries and 14,797 runs in ODIs, making him the second-highest run-getter in the format's history. He has featured in four ODI World Cups, including India's victorious 2011 campaign.
Which formats has Kohli retired from?
Kohli retired from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025. He continues to play ODIs and was also active in the IPL for RCB and the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi.
What is India's upcoming ODI schedule ahead of the 2027 World Cup?
India are scheduled to host Afghanistan in a home ODI series in June, with matches in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, followed by three ODIs against England in July. Both series are part of India's build-up to the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup.
What did Kohli say about proving his worth to the team?
Kohli said his perspective is clear: if he can add value and the environment recognises that, he will continue. He stated that if he is made to feel he needs to 'prove his worth and value,' that environment is not meant for him — underlining that he expects to be selected on merit, not sentiment.
