Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last World Cup for India, bringing clarity to months of speculation about his international future. Kohli made the announcement while speaking to broadcaster JioStar ahead of India’s ODI series against the West Indies on September 26, 2026.
“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli said, making the 2027 tournament a clearly defined final target in his ODI career. He also said that his motivation is to give everything he has and help India win the World Cup.
Kohli’s Final World Cup Campaign
The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November. The tournament will mark Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup appearance.
Kohli has already retired from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, leaving ODI cricket as his only international format. His decision means the 2027 World Cup is expected to become the final major global tournament of his India career.
The veteran batter enters the final phase of his ODI career with an extraordinary record. He has scored 14,941 ODI runs, placing him second on the all-time list behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs. Kohli is also the leading century-maker in ODI cricket, with 54 hundreds.
From 2011 Champion to 2027 Farewell
Kohli was part of India’s historic 2011 World Cup-winning team on home soil. He also played a central role in India’s campaign at the 2023 World Cup, where the team reached the final before losing to Australia.
The 2027 tournament will therefore represent another significant chapter in his World Cup journey. Kohli has described the intensity of a 50-over World Cup as particularly demanding, especially because the tournament will be played in foreign conditions.
What Happens After the World Cup?
While Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 World Cup will be his final World Cup for India, his statement specifically refers to his participation in the tournament and his India career. He has not indicated that he intends to immediately stop playing franchise cricket, including the Indian Premier League.
For now, the focus remains on the 2027 World Cup. Kohli has made his objective clear: to leave everything on the field and make another attempt to win the ODI World Cup for India.
The announcement marks the beginning of what could be the final chapter of one of India’s most celebrated ODI careers, with fans now set to watch Kohli’s journey toward his fifth and final World cup
