Kohli’s last World Cup comes with a selection clause
Virat Kohli says the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last for India, but selection, fitness and retirement remain separate questions.
Kohli has named 2027 as his last World Cup, subject to selection and fitness.
Virat Kohli has said the 2027 ODI World Cup will be the last World Cup he plays for India. Speaking to JioStar on Saturday, the 37-year-old batter said: “For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” adding that winning it was the goal and he was ready to do whatever it takes. (Al Jazeera)
The tournament is scheduled for October-November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Kohli has played in four ODI World Cups, was part of India’s 2011 winning squad and featured in the 2023 final defeat to Australia. The fifth will happen only if he is selected and fit. Cricket, inconveniently, still retains selectors.
This is not a formal announcement that he will retire from all international cricket after the tournament. In May, an ICC report quoted Kohli saying he wanted to continue if he was playing and contributing. The BCCI and selectors have not publicly confirmed his plans. For now, India has a stated target, a conditional place in the squad and one World Cup left on Kohli’s calendar.