Virat Kohli confirms the 2027 World Cup will be his last for India and backs Shubman Gill to lead the side long-term in a JioStar interview

New Delhi: Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last for India. Speaking to JioStar ahead of India’s ODI series against the West Indies, the 36-year-old said his motivation now comes from giving everything he has left to one final World Cup campaign. Kohli also backed Shubman Gill to lead India’s ODI team for the long term, giving a glimpse into the transition already taking shape.

Kohli confirms: this is his last World Cup

He has now put a clear timeline on his World Cup career. Speaking to JioStar, he said, “For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. And that is my motivation… to leave everything out there.”

The former India captain also made his target clear. “Of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” Kohli said.

The 2027 World Cup will take place in October and November across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament will return to Africa after 24 years, while the ICC has expanded the field to 14 teams and introduced a new multi-stage format.

For Kohli, the tournament will also represent the final chapter of his World Cup career. He was part of India’s title-winning team in 2011 and later played in the team that finished runners-up to Australia in 2023.

Why the 2027 tournament means so much to him

Kohli understands the physical and mental demands of playing a full World Cup in overseas conditions. He pointed out that maintaining the same intensity throughout a long tournament abroad can take a lot out of a player.

That makes his motivation more personal this time. At 36, Kohli knows he has one more ODI World Cup ahead of him. He wants to use that opportunity to compete for another title and finish his World Cup journey by giving everything to the campaign.

India’s 2011 triumph remains an important part of Kohli’s story, while the 2023 final against Australia remains a different memory. The 2027 tournament gives him another chance to chase the trophy, this time as a senior member of a team entering a new leadership cycle.

A different Kohli: playing with fewer restraints

Kohli also spoke about changing the way he approaches ODI batting during this stage of his career.

He has made a conscious decision to play with greater freedom instead of always concentrating on building the innings and protecting his wicket. His responsibility as an innings-builder sometimes made him hesitate to take risks, even when he believed he could attack.

Now, Kohli wants to give himself more freedom to take those chances when the conditions allow.

Modern ODI cricket has also changed. Teams regularly aim for totals beyond 350, and batting line-ups have become deeper and more aggressive. Kohli said he is willing to accept some risk if attacking can help India add more runs.

That approach also comes from greater trust in the batting order around him. He no longer feels the same need to stay at the crease simply because the team might struggle if he gets out.

His intention is clear, although it does not guarantee that every innings will produce a different result. Kohli simply wants to give himself more freedom in the final phase of his career.

Backing Shubman Gill for the long haul

Kohli also backed Gill to lead India for years to come. “So, I see him leading for a long time, and he will be absolutely fine,” he said. Kohli praised Gill’s tactical approach, including his willingness to change fields, pressure batters and communicate with bowlers. His rise comes as India begins a new ODI leadership phase, with Kohli and Rohit still part of the immediate World Cup plans.

What makes Gill ready, in Kohli’s own words

Kohli particularly praised Gill’s tactical approach.

Gill is not shy to use different kinds of fields, put guys under pressure, communicate with the bowlers, and bring in a certain kind of bowling attack, Kohli said.

For Kohli, experience will naturally improve Gill’s decision-making. But he considers the younger captain’s desire to lead India in the right manner even more important.

That combination could prove valuable as Gill gets more matches as captain. He will have to make difficult decisions, manage experienced players and build a team for a World Cup cycle. Kohli’s endorsement shows that he sees Gill as someone capable of handling that responsibility for the long term.

The road to 2027: India’s packed ODI calendar

India’s road to the 2027 World Cup begins with the West Indies ODIs from September 27, 2026. Gill will captain a squad featuring Rohit Sharma, Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and other young players, with Rahul as vice-captain.

India will then play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka later in 2026, followed by three against Zimbabwe in early 2027 as part of the World Cup build-up.

Kohli’s World Cup legacy, by the numbers

Kohli already owns one of the strongest World Cup records in the format.

Across 37 ODI World Cup matches, he has scored 1,795 runs at an average of 59.83, with five centuries and 12 fifties. His highest World Cup score is 117.

His overall ODI numbers are equally striking. Kohli has scored 14,941 runs in 302 innings at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His highest ODI score is 183.

His international career has already moved into its final phase. Kohli retired from T20 International cricket after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup title win and stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025. ODIs are now his only international format.

His T20 World Cup record adds another major chapter. Kohli scored 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.73, with 15 fifties. He also won the Player of the Tournament award twice, in 2014 and 2016.

Where things stand: the West Indies series kicks off

The West Indies series will open another important stage of India’s preparation for 2027. Gill will lead the team, while Kohli and Rohit will bring their experience into a side preparing for a major tournament.

For Kohli, the destination is now known. The 2027 World Cup will be his final World Cup for India, and he wants to arrive there with nothing held back.

The next 12 months will show how this new phase of Kohli’s career takes shape.