Last Updated on May 15, 2026 by Naveen Saini
The conversation about Virat Kohli making a comeback in the 2027 ODI World Cup has once again entered the spotlight of Indian cricket. There have been many speculations about the length of Kohli’s stay, with his compatriots, fans and experts questioning whether he will be around to represent India in the next ICC ODI format tournament. Now, the former India captain has finally spoken and did not hold back from speaking his words on the future, thought and devotion for the game.
Talking candidly about his career and inspiration, Kohli said he depends on his ability to add value to the team’s ambition to continue playing cricket in future.
Kohli said:
“My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am a part of, and the environment feels like I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space. Because I am being honest to my preparation,” he said.
Addressing the constant chatter around the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli also suggested that people often try to complicate the discussion too early when there is still a long way to go before the tournament arrives.
“I am being honest to how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I am very thankful to God for giving me everything that I have been given in my cricketing career. And I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. And when I arrive to play, I put my head down.”
“I work as hard, if not harder than anyone else. And I play the game the right way. You want me to run 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 feel ,50 overs, every ball like it’s the last ball I’m going to play in my career. And I will bat that way. And I will run between the wickets that way. And I will do everything possible for the team. After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that place is not meant to be for me,” he continued.
On the one hand, he had his point where he stated to the world his attitude towards the sport of cricket, where he felt a hundred percent committed to the sport but doesn’t have to constantly explain his presence here after years of service in the same sport.
“Of Course, If I’m Playing…” Kohli’s Statement on the 2027 World Cup
Further on the big rumors of the 2027 World Cup, Virat Kohli also spoke about the speculations that are going on all around the world about nearly that time.Then, there are the speculations, and Virat Kohli has admitted that people are already hearing from him on his future plans on a regular basis, especially in regards to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Kohli reveals that his love for the game of cricket still has a place in his heart and he still has the drive to represent India. But he also emphasized that he has to put the players’ relationship with the team on the same level.
Why isn’t Virat Kohli confirming his 2027 plans?
Though he has proven himself to be quite consistent in the game, Kohli also recognizes the difficulty of predicting what will happen in the game of cricket. The former India captain will be just about 39 when the 2027 World Cup comes. Today’s standards for fitness have allowed for the lengthening of careers to a significant extent, but keeping people at the elite level for tens of years is challenging.
Kohli also has an awareness that Indian cricket is passing through a gradual transition period; there are a few youngsters fighting for the big opportunity. However, modern-day cricket is a performance driven game where even top legend is expected to deliver a consistent performance.
However, Kohli’s current form and fitness suggests that at least on his clothes, he can still go till 2027.
Virat Kohli On Vijay Hazare Trophy Return
Kohli also talked about the return of domestic 50 over cricket in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy with the Delhi side. Not only was his inclusion a huge talking point due to the initial queries around whether he would be allowed to participate in the tournament on BCCI’s revamped domestic cricket policy, but a big subject of debate was his age upon being announced.
But Kohli soon came on the scene and proved to do so right away, with a 208 in two innings, which included a 100 and 50 at the time.
Talking about his thinking through the tournament, Kohli had commented:
“There was not a single person at the Centre of Excellence (in Bengaluru, which hosted the matches). I have played for so long, and thought, will it be motivating enough? But the moment my intention switched, I wanted to play because I love playing. I just love batting. And I just want to focus on that. And I could not care. It is not like I did not feel,” he said.
Virat said that while featuring in VHT for Delhi, he “felt like a child again”. “I was like, this is not about anyone else. This is about me and the game. And that is what it is going to be. And the moment I feel like, you know, people are trying to complicate it for me and be like, oh, but this and that. Either be clear and honest upfront or be quiet and let me play,” he added.
He also analogized cricket with the real work place where people get mixed signals at times about their worth.
“It is like, why? Either tell me on day one, I am not good enough or I am not needed. Or if you have said I am good enough and you say we are not even thinking otherwise, then be quiet. You know, then don’t.”
If you are feeling down and it is based on results, you can’t have a consistent mindset. And I’m not somebody who does that when I come out to play. When I play, I know what I’m putting into it and what I can get out of it.
How Will Virat Kohli Keep Up His Fitness for 2027?
One of the major factors for Kohli has been his fitness over the years, as a tennis player.Apart from his skill, fitness has always been a major factor behind Kohli’s longevity in international cricket. In the years that followed, he completely revolutionized the whole game of fitness in India and even became among the world’s fittest cricketers by becoming a complete fitness icon.
He also said, “I know what I can deliver because I literally live my life like that. It is not like I prepare for a series to, you know, suddenly start working hard two or three weeks before. I am like that through the year. So if you call me to play, and if you say there is a series coming up, I am ready.
“I am always ready because that’s my daily life. You know, I work out, we eat well at home. It is because I like living that way. It is not only to play cricket. So that is where I am. I mean, this 27 (2027 World Cup) chat and all that, honestly, for me, it is like, we are at like mid 26. But I’ve been asked so many times, do you want to play 27?,” he said.
He also added, “I know the answer. Like, why would I leave my home, you know, 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 as I said, the value has to be two sides.”
Since he reached the top level for over 10 years, strict discipline, rigorous training regimens, methods of recovery and artful meal planning continue to keep him at an elite level. Kohli is still one of the best fielders and fastest batsmen to take wickets in India.
That is why, a few experts felt that he would have more time to play until the 2027 ODI World Cup if he is physically fit, and that if he isn’t, he’s bound to pass the most difficult criteria..
ViratKohli’s ODI Stats and Records
Virat Kohli is already in cricket history as one of the best ODI batters. His tally in the format continues to reflect how he has potential to deliver big shots for India in upcoming ICC competitions still scrapped by many fans.
As per ESPNCricinfo, here is an ODI career summary of Virat Kohli:
- Matches: 311
- Innings: 299
- Runs: 14,797
- Average: 58.71
- Strike Rate: 93.82
- Hundreds: 54
- Fifties: 77
- Highest Score: 183 off Pakistan.
- Catches: 167
Kohli is the leading scorer of ODI centuries in the history of cricket with a whopping 54 hundreds and still counting, bested only by Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record with 49 ODI centuries.
He is also the quickest batsman to get:
- 9,000 ODI runs
- 10,000 ODI runs
- 11,000 ODI runs
- 12,000 ODI runs
- 13,000 ODI runs
- 14,000 ODI runs
The 2023 ODI World Cup has also been another big breakthrough game when Kohli blasted out one of the finest batting performances of the ODI World Cup. I was also the highest run scorer and set a record for the most runs in an ODI World Cup.
FAQ
Q1. Has Virat Kohli confirmed he will play the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Kohli has expressed his desire to play the 2027 ODI World Cup but with a clear condition. Speaking on the RCB podcast, he said: “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 two sides.”
Q2. How many ODI centuries does Virat Kohli have?
Virat Kohli has 85 international centuries to his name — across Tests and ODIs combined. In ODIs specifically, he holds the record with 54 centuries — more than Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 ODI hundreds.
Q3. What did Kohli say about proving his worth?
Kohli said: “If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space. Because I am being honest to my preparation.” He made clear he will only continue if both he and the team management feel he adds genuine value.
Q4. How is Virat Kohli performing in IPL 2026?
In IPL 2026, Kohli is currently third in the Orange Cap race with 484 runs from 12 innings — including one century and three fifties at a strike rate of 165.75.
Q5. Where will the 2027 ODI World Cup be hosted?
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Kohli, who will be 38 at the time, is eyeing participation in the tournament
