Virat Kohli Confirms 2027 World Cup Will Be His Last

Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will mark his final appearance at the tournament for India, adding fresh purpose to the next phase of his international career. The veteran batter says knowing this is his last chance has sharpened his focus heading into the competition, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Kohli’s Motivation Going Into 2027

Speaking to broadcaster JioStar, Kohli explained that the World Cup being his last gives him a clear driving force. He said he wants to give everything on the field and is fully committed to helping India lift the trophy, regardless of what it takes. Though he has already retired from Test and T20I cricket, Kohli remains a key part of India’s ODI plans.

His immediate focus, however, is closer at hand. India take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series starting September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by matches in Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3.

A Career Spanning Four World Cups

Kohli’s World Cup journey began with India’s title-winning 2011 campaign and has continued through the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions. The 2023 tournament ended in heartbreak for India in the final, but was a personal triumph for Kohli, who finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Now 37, Kohli has one last opportunity to complete unfinished business on the world stage. Having tasted both triumph and disappointment across four World Cups, his 2027 campaign will carry the weight of a fitting send-off — one final chance to lift the trophy that has occasionally slipped away.