(Image source from: Twitter)
Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has finally spoken up about the ongoing rumors regarding his future in international cricket and the chance of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup. He expressed that he doesn’t wish to be in a setting where he's constantly pushed to demonstrate his abilities, despite his dedication and training for the sport. Kohli shared his thoughts during a talk on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast, where he openly discussed his mindset, his connection with the sport, and the frequent inquiries about his future with the Indian team. At 37 years old, he now solely participates in ODI cricket for India after stepping back from T20 matches following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and leaving Test cricket before the England tour last year. He mentioned that his viewpoint on cricket has become very straightforward.
“My viewpoint is very straightforward. If I can contribute positively to the team I am a member of and if the team believes I can help, I will be recognized. If I feel pressured to prove my abilities and worth, I don’t belong in that situation. Because I am true to my preparation,” Kohli stated. “I am truthful about how I tackle the game. I focus on my work. I am extremely grateful to God for all the gifts I have received throughout my cricket career. I feel very fortunate and appreciative for being given this opportunity. And when I come to play, I focus entirely on my game. ” Kohli emphasized that his dedication to Indian cricket has always remained constant, and he continues to train with the same commitment and intensity that has characterized his career for years.
“I put in as much effort, if not more, than anyone else. And I play the game correctly. If you want me to sprint from one boundary to the other for all 40 overs in an ODI match? I will do it without any complaints. That’s because I train accordingly. I prepare for the fact that I’ll view every ball in a 50-over match as if it could be the last ball of my career. I will bat and run between the wickets with that mindset. I will do everything I can for the team. ” The experienced batter mentioned that after working with such commitment, he sees no reason to continuously justify his position. “After contributing in this way, if I have to be in a situation where I must prove my worth and value, that is not the right place for me,” he added. With ODI matches now limited on the international schedule, discussions about Kohli’s involvement in the 2027 World Cup have grown more intense. However, the former captain made it clear that he is already aware of his stance on the subject.
“I understand what I can achieve because I genuinely live my life that way. I don’t prepare just a few weeks before a tournament to work hard. I maintain that lifestyle all year. So if you ask me to participate, and mention an upcoming series, I am already set.”
“I am consistently prepared because that is how I live each day. I exercise, and we eat healthy at home. It's because I enjoy living like that. It's not just for playing cricket. So, this talk about the 2027 World Cup feels like we are already in the middle of 2026 for me. However, people keep asking if I want to play in 2027,” he explained.
“I have my thoughts on that. I wouldn't leave my home and gather my things if I wasn't sure about what I wanted. Of course, if I am playing, I would like to continue playing cricket. Competing in a World Cup for India is an incredible experience. But as I mentioned, there should be value on both sides,” he continued.
Kohli also shared his feelings about returning to domestic cricket for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this year, where he scored 208 runs in just two games, including a century and a half-century. He mentioned that this experience helped him reconnect with the simple joy of batting.
“There wasn't a single spectator at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru during the matches. After playing for many years, I wondered if it would be motivating enough. But once I shifted my mindset to wanting to play because I love it, everything changed. I just enjoy batting and my focus was solely on that. I didn’t let anything else bother me,” he stated.
Virat expressed that the tournament made him feel like a young player rediscovering his passion for the game. “I thought, this is not about anyone else. This is about me and the sport. That’s how I want to approach it. Whenever I sense that people are trying to make it complicated for me by adding unnecessary pressures, I prefer them to be honest or just let me play,” he added.
The batting star also likened the uncertainty surrounding players' futures to a typical job setting, where opinions can change widely depending on the outcomes. “It’s like, why can’t you just be straightforward? Tell me from the start if I am not good enough or needed. If you believe I am good and not considering any changes, then don’t say anything further. Just let it be,” he remarked.
“If you react by going up and down based on results, you won't be able to maintain a steady stance. I do not act that way. Like I mentioned, when I step up to play, I understand what I can offer in terms of my effort and performance,” he said. Kohli is still considered one of the best ODI batsmen in the history of cricket. In 311 One Day Internationals, he has made 14,797 runs with an average of 58.71 and a strike rate of 93.82, including 54 centuries and 77 half-centuries. Although he played less ODI cricket last year because the international schedule was busy, Kohli still ended up being India’s top run-scorer in this format with 651 runs in 13 innings, averaging 65.10, which included three centuries and four fifties. This year, he has already accumulated 240 runs in three ODIs with an average of 80, featuring both a century and a fifty. After the IPL, Kohli is likely to join the Indian team again for the ODI series against Afghanistan that starts on June 14.
