15 May,2026 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli (Pic: RCB)
Virat Kohli has dropped a major hint about his ODI future, saying he would "love" to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The Indian batting star has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, leading to speculation over how long he plans to continue in the 50-over format.
Speaking on a Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast, Kohli spoke about his immediate goals and his desire to continue representing India in ODI cricket.
The former India captain said he remains motivated to play for the national team and is looking forward to the next ODI World Cup.
"This 27 chat, for me it's like, we are mid-26 now. I have been asked so many times - do you want to play 27? Why would I leave my home, get the stuff over? Of course, if I am playing, I want to play cricket. I want to carry on, playing for India in the World Cup is amazing," Kohli said during the RCB podcast.
Kohli retired from T20 Internationals after India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. The veteran batter later announced his retirement from Test cricket following India's tour of Australia in 2025.
However, his latest comments suggest that he is not planning to step away from ODI cricket anytime soon.
Kohli was the standout performer of the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India. He finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer, amassing 765 runs in 11 innings at an average of 95.62.
The feat helped him surpass Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record of 673 runs in a single World Cup edition, set during the 2003 tournament.
One of Kohli's defining moments came during the semi-final against New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where he scored his 50th ODI century and overtook Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI hundreds.
Throughout the tournament, Kohli smashed three centuries and six half-centuries, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Although India fell short against Australia in the final, Kohli's performances further strengthened his legacy as one of the greatest ODI batters of the modern era.
