Virat Kohli has said the ODI World Cup in 2027 will be his last for the country. The Indian batting superstar wants to 'leave everything out there' to help India lift the World Cup after 16 years.
The 37-year-old was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning side under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. India defeated Sri Lanka on home soil to emerge champions, in a tournament which was Sachin Tendulkar's last World Cup.
Kohli was speaking to JioStar ahead of an ODI series against the West Indies starting in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
"For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I'm absolutely ready," Kohli said. The World Cup will be hosted jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Kohli, who turns 38 in November, said the intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. "Because now, it's about 10 games at a T20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day.
"To maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it's in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you," Kohli said.
Rohit Sharma, who is 39, is also expected to play his last World Cup. He said he has unfinished business in the event as India missed out on the title under his captaincy in the previous edition. India lost the final to Australia in 2023.
"The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished. As long as you're playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I'm looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me," Rohit Sharma said.
"When the World Cup is played, when we play an ICC tournament, it has its own unique challenge, because you face different opponents, you play at different venues. So, you have to prepare differently, think in a different way and that is the challenge," he added. Both Kohli and Rohit only play ODIs as they have retired from the other formats.
