Virat Kohli on retirement plans: ODI World Cup 2027 will be my last for India

Star India batter Virat Kohli has dropped a retirement bombshell, confirming that the ODI World Cup 2027 in southern Africa will be his last tournament for India. Kohli is all set to make his comeback in the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies beginning on Sunday, September 27.

Having retired from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024 and from Tests in May 2025, Kohli now only plays the 50-over format. However, the star batter has plans to bid adieu to the last format soon, as he wants to end on a winning note in the World Cup.

"Also now, it's in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you. 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," said Kohli while speaking to JioStar.

Virat Kohli also spoke about his batting approach in recent years, revealing how he has shed the weight of expectations and plays more freely.

"What's changed is, firstly, I promised myself that I'm going to play more freely. I'm not going to worry about the expectations that people might have around me. My role had always been, for a long period of time, that I'm going to stabilise things," he added.

The former India skipper also praised Shubman Gill for his leadership, saying that he has the right intensity to lead the team and sees him continuing in the role for a long time.

"Shubman, the captain, is still learning. He is still young in the role, but he has got the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team. He thinks of ways to get batters out in the field, which is always a sign of doing something different or staying a step ahead. He is not shy to use different kinds of fields, put guys under pressure, communicate the same to the bowlers, and bring in a certain kind of bowling attack. He has got the desire to lead the Indian cricket team in the right way, which is the most important factor. So, I see him leading for a long time, and he will be absolutely fine," said Kohli.

Meanwhile, Kohli has been in rich form in ODIs since 2025, having scored 1035 runs at an average of 64.68 with four hundreds and seven fifties to his name. He will look to continue his form against West Indies, being just 59 runs away from completing 15000 runs in ODIs.