A recent report suggests that 36-year-old Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli is very much part of India’s plans for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The 2027 edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. South Africa will stage 44 matches across eight venues, while Zimbabwe and Namibia will share the remaining 10 games.
Virat Kohli Set for His Return to International Cricket
Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the “GOAT” back in action. Kohli is set to return to international cricket soon, wearing the Indian colors for the first time since March 2025. He’ll feature in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
The three-match series begins on Sunday, October 19, in Perth. The next two matches are scheduled for October 23 and 25, in Adelaide and Sydney, respectively.
A Single-Format Star Focused on ODIs
Kohli has now become a single-format player at the international level after retiring from T20Is in 2024 and stepping away from Test cricket earlier this year. That means fans see less of him these days, as ODI cricket isn’t played as often.
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Still, at 36, Kohli’s fitness remains top-notch. Many former players have encouraged him to continue his ODI career and aim for one last shot at World Cup glory in 2027.
Selectors Want Kohli to Stay Match-Ready
While there’s strong support for Kohli’s continued presence in the ODI setup, both BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have indicated that his future in the format isn’t set in stone. They’ve advised Kohli to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) to maintain his match readiness and stay in contention for the next World Cup.
Recently, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla clarified that the upcoming Australia series will not be Kohli’s farewell tour. A senior BCCI source also confirmed that the batting maestro “is pretty much in the scheme of things for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.”
Aussie Bowler’s Admiration for Kohli’s Fitness
Over the years, Virat Kohli has built a phenomenal record against Australia, scoring 2,451 runs in ODIs at an average of 54.46. In Australia alone, he has piled up 1,327 runs from 29 matches at an average of 51.03.
Recalling one particular game, Australian bowler Jhye Richardson shared how Kohli’s energy stood out even when the Aussies were completely drained.
“You speak to anyone who was there that day – there’s footage of guys wearing ice necklaces, and no one had colour in their face. No one was speaking. If you got a wicket, it was just complete silence because no one had energy.”
“That wouldn’t be one that sticks out to many people in terms of being the most high-profile. But I just remember, that was when I was like – this guy’s a completely different level, no matter the condition.”
Even after more than a decade of international cricket, Virat Kohli continues to inspire admiration – not just for his batting brilliance but also for his unmatched work ethic and fitness. With the World Cup 2027 on the horizon, fans may yet see him add another glorious chapter to his legendary career.
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