Virat Kohli has made no secret of his ambitions for the 2027 ODI World Cup, describing it as his 'last World Cup' and revealing that his ultimate dream is to play a match-winning knock in the final while chasing a target. The veteran batter, speaking to JioStar, struck a balance between personal aspiration and team-first values — insisting that a World Cup trophy will always take precedence over individual glory.

The Dream and the Bigger Goal

'I've always been someone who, in every game that we play, wants to be the guy who wins us the game,' Kohli said. 'I'm made that way; that's never going to go away from me. So, my goal is to win as many games as I can for the team, and my dream is to play a match-winning knock in the finals, while chasing a score.'

Kohli was quick to contextualise that personal dream within collective ambition. 'If it happens, great. If it doesn't happen, we win the World Cup, I'll be as happy because eventually, you understand that, as much as that competitive nature is there, it's the last time you're getting to play a World Cup. So, winning that trophy is the most important thing,' he added.

The 2023 Heartbreak That Still Lingers

Kohli opened up candidly on the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat to Australia, admitting the loss was 'very tough to process for many days.' He revealed a striking parallel with another painful memory — the 2016 IPL final — before noting that the 2025 IPL title helped him find closure on that chapter.

'I was playing on 54 and had set myself up for a big hundred; like, if I got 140-150, we would be in a great position to win that game. But as soon as I played on, it was very tough to process for many days,' he said. Kohli also reflected on the team's collective spirit during that campaign, noting how Mohammed Shami's emergence after Hardik Pandya's early injury kept belief alive in the dressing room. 'Everyone had a feeling that it was our World Cup. There was a different energy altogether, and then when the game shifts like that, it's very difficult to process,' he recalled.

On Being Called the Best Ever

Despite being widely regarded as one of cricket's all-time greats, Kohli deflected the 'best ever' tag with characteristic humility. 'I don't consider myself the best ever. Different players have existed in different times of the sport, and they've done some amazing things, but might not have accumulated those kind of numbers, and some have numbers which are way better than me,' he said.

He framed his longevity as a product of sustained motivation rather than exceptional talent alone. 'I've been fortunate enough to have played for so long, and of course, when you're motivated to do well over that period, you end up performing more often than not,' he noted, adding that representing India remains 'a great honour.'

What This Means for India's 2027 Campaign

Kohli's remarks signal that the 36-year-old intends to be a central figure in India's 2027 World Cup plans, which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. His emphasis on fitness, game awareness, and competitive drive suggests he sees no reason to step back from the format. For a team still building its post-2023 World Cup identity in ODIs, having a Kohli motivated by unfinished business could prove a significant advantage heading into the tournament.