Virat Kohli shuts down the critics questioning his availability for the ODI World Cup 2027

Virat Kohli, the legendary batter of the Indian cricket team, has made it clear that he wishes to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled to be held in South Africa next year—albeit with one condition: that everything must fall into place perfectly. Virat Kohli has achieved almost every milestone possible in his career as a cricketer—be it the 2011 World Cup, the 2013 and 2025 Champions Trophies, or the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under his captaincy, India also secured the ICC Test Mace by defeating Australia in their own backyard. Last year, he even fulfilled one of his long-cherished dreams by winning the IPL title.

For a long time, fans have been eager to know the answer to one specific question: Will Virat Kohli play in the ODI World Cup 2027? Following India's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy last year—when both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli clarified that neither had any immediate plans to retire—significant changes began to take place within the ODI squad. Rohit Sharma was removed from the ODI captaincy, and the reins of Team India were handed over to Shubman Gill. At that time, while announcing the squad for the tour of Australia, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had stated that both Rohit and Virat remained non-committal regarding the 2027 World Cup. 

“We’re in mid-2026. I’ve been asked so many times, ‘Do you want to play ‘27?’ Why would | leave my 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. But the value has to be clear. My perspective is that if I can add value to the environment, I am part of, and the environment feels I can add value, I will be seen. But if I am made to feel like I need to constantly prove my worth and value, then I am not in that space, because I am honest about my preparation and my approach to the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I am very thankful to God for everything I have been given in my cricketing career, and I feel blessed and grateful for the opportunities I have had,” Kohli said.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 is still approximately 16 months away. Shedding light on the current atmosphere within the Indian team, Virat Kohli remarked that if he were constantly required to prove himself, he might not be able to perform at his absolute best.

“When I arrive to play, I give my absolute best. I work as hard, if not harder, than anyone else, and I play the game in the right way. If you want me to run boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI, I will do that without complaint because I prepare for it. I prepare to face 50 overs as if every ball could be the last of my career, and I bat and run that way, doing everything possible for the team. After operating like this, if I am in a place where I still have to prove my worth, then that place is not meant for me. I am very clear in my head about that. That is why when I went back to play, I was clear that I was not going out to prove anything to anyone. I was going to play because I love playing the game. I just love batting and wanted to focus on that.” 

Virat Kohli has already retired from both T20 and Test cricket, and currently plays exclusively in ODIs and the IPL. Last year, after a six-month hiatus, he made a spectacular comeback to international cricket, smashing three centuries and three half-centuries across seven matches. Similarly, in the ongoing IPL, Kohli has already amassed 500 runs with the bat—a tally that includes a recently scored century, thanks to the work he puts in behind the scenes in London. Virat even participated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy last year, and at the beginning of this year, something he mentioned.

“It felt like I was playing like a child again. I was fielding, diving around, and enjoying every moment. It became very clear to me that this is not about anyone else – it is about me and the game, and that is how it will be. The moment I feel people are complicating it for me – asking questions, creating narratives – I feel it should be simple: either be clear and honest upfront, or be quiet and let me play in peace,” added Kohli.

“If you go to your workplace and are told you are trusted, but a week later, your methods are questioned, it becomes confusing. Either tell me on day one that I am not good enough, or if you believe I am, then stand by it. You cannot keep changing your stance based on results. I am not someone who operates like that. I know what I can deliver in terms of effort and commitment. Performance can never be guaranteed, but effort always can, and I live my life that way. I don’t prepare for a series by suddenly working hard two or three weeks before. I live like this throughout the year. So when I come to play, I am always ready. Fitness, discipline, diet – that’s how I live, not just for cricket but because I enjoy living that way.”

Throughout his career, Kohli has been a part of four ODI World Cup squads, notably leading the team as captain during the 2019 edition. In the 2023 World Cup, Kohli shattered all records by scoring 765 runs in a single tournament edition. Given his current form, it would be extremely difficult to exclude Kohli from the World Cup squad. However, the last two years have witnessed a fair share of unexpected developments in Indian cricket; consequently, only time will tell whether or not Kohli will play in the 2027 World Cup.