Following Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20Is in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025, intense speculation swirled regarding his remaining future with the national team in the ODI format. At 37 years old, the veteran batter has faced constant questions about how much longer he intends to represent India on the international stage.
Value has to be two-sided: Virat Kohli on ODI World Cup 2027 talks
Breaking his silence on the matter, Kohli finally addressed the rumors that have dominated headlines recently. In a definitive move to clear the air, he made a significant statement concerning his availability for the 2027 ODI World Cup, effectively putting an end to the ongoing debate about his career trajectory.
"Like, 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. But as I said, the value has to be two-sided," Kohli said in an RCB podcast.
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Kohli then spoke on the ongoing narrative that he still needs to "prove himself" at this stage of his career. Facing these questions head-on, the veteran batter offered a candid perspective on his current mindset and his standing within the game.
If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth, I’m not in that space: Kohli
In his remarks, Kohli addressed the pressure and external expectations that have followed him into the later years of his international career. Rather than shying away from the scrutiny, he provided a clear response to those questioning his longevity and his role in the team's future.
“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, and because I’m being honest to my preparation, I’m being honest to how I approach the game,” the former India captain added.
“I put my head down, I work hard, I’m very thankful to God for giving me everything that I’ve been given in my cricketing career, and I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. When I arrive to play, I put my head down, I work as hard, if not harder than anyone else, and I play the game in the right way. You want me to run boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game? I will do that without a complaint, because I prepared accordingly. 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,” he further stated.
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Kohli then opened up about the mental challenges he faced during a difficult run of form on Australia tour. The batting maestro reflected on the psychological toll of recording back-to-back ducks, a rare slump that tested his resolve on the international stage. Despite the initial struggle, Kohli highlighted the significance of his performance in the tour's conclusion. By finishing the final game with a resilient half-century, he was able to find a sense of personal redemption and shift his mindset toward a more positive trajectory before returning home.
“When I went back to play, I was very clear in my head, I’m not going out there to prove anything to anyone. I am going to play because I love playing the game,” Kohli concluded.
Watch the video here: