New Delhi, Oct 26 (NationPress) South African cricketing icon AB de Villiers asserts that while Virat Kohli has numerous fruitful years of cricket ahead, the 2027 World Cup is poised to be the "cherry on the cake"—a perfect conclusion to his remarkable ODI journey.

De Villiers urges fans to cherish Kohli and support him as he navigates the latter part of his career. After a sluggish start in the Australia series, Kohli regained his form brilliantly in the third ODI, scoring a solid 74 off 81 balls to lead India to a convincing nine-wicket triumph.

Although he faced significant criticism earlier in the series, with doubts regarding his role leading up to the 2027 World Cup, De Villiers took to his YouTube channel to commend his long-time friend. He emphasized that Kohli has transformed the game and merits steadfast support, no matter how he chooses to conclude his celebrated career.

"I want to remind you all that this is the kind of player worth celebrating. Allow him to seek balance in life as his career progresses. Just celebrate him. He has altered the game forever. He deserves our gratitude, and hopefully, he continues to play for another five years; if not, we stand behind him," stated De Villiers.

De Villiers envisions the 2027 World Cup as a probable final act in Kohli’s illustrious career—the "cherry on the cake" of an extraordinary journey. The former South African captain is confident that Kohli has up to five more years of elite cricket left but believes that the 2027 tournament could signify his farewell from international cricket.

"In my view, the 2027 World Cup will be his last chance at the cherry on the cake to wrap up his career. The IPL is a different scenario. We might see him playing for three, four, or even five more years. It’s demanding but manageable, especially with preparation for those two to three months. A World Cup, however, represents a four-year cycle—intensive buildup that places significant strain on both the body and personal life. We have heard Virat frequently mention how crucial family time is for him," added De Villiers.

He believes Kohli will play an essential role in mentoring younger teammates during this period.

"Virat plays a vital role from a mental perspective. The confidence the young players derive from his presence is invaluable. It cannot be quantified. Their impact on surrounding players and the confidence they instill is immensely significant. Don’t forget that, even if performances occasionally falter. Their influence is profound," said De Villiers.

The former captain will next don the India jersey in the three-match ODI series against South Africa later next month.