Virat Kohli makes his World Cup 2027 stance clear: Can’t prove my worth anymore

Star India batter Virat Kohli has made it clear that he wants to play in the next ODI World Cup in 2027. With Kohli set to turn 38 later this year, there were some speculations around his future in the team. However, the star batter has put all of them to rest with his remarkable form.

Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli has continued to plunder runs in ODI cricket. In his last seven innings, he’s scored 616 runs at an average of 123.2 and a strike rate of 108.64 with three hundreds and as many fifties.

The star batter has again made it clear about his stance on playing the next World Cup, calling it an amazing feeling to represent the country in the mega event.

"We're in mid-2026. I've been asked so many times, 'Do you want to play '27?' Why would I leave my home, 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,” Kohli said on Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast.

Kohli also stated that he’s not in a mental space to prove his worth to anyone and gives his best to every team's environment he’s a part of.

"Today, my perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I'm a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I'll be seen. If I'm made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space,” he added.

He highlighted his commitment to the game, mentioning his tremendous work ethic and willingness to give his all in every department of the game. However, Kohli reiterated that he doesn’t want to be in a place where he has to prove his worth.

Kohli to return in India colours in June

"I prepare for the fact that I will field 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. And I am very clear in my head from that perspective,” Kohli said.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), Kohli is currently the third-highest run-getter with 484 runs from 12 innings, with a hundred and three fifties and a strike rate of 165.75.

Courtesy of his form, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are sitting atop the IPL 2026 points table with 16 points from 12 games. After the IPL, India will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June, which will most likely mark Kohli’s return to international cricket.