Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 26: Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli has set his sights on the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, saying the tournament in South Africa will be his final ODI World Cup for India and that he is prepared to do “whatever it takes” to win the title.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now play only one format at the highest level, are keen to make the most of the road to the 2027 World Cup. India’s new home season begins against the West Indies on Sunday.
Speaking to JioStar ahead of the first ODI, Kohli spoke about the unique intensity of a 50-over World Cup and the motivation driving him towards the marquee event.
“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Because now, it's about 10 games at a T20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it's in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you,” Kohli said.
“For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I'm absolutely ready,” he added.
Kohli has been among the most prolific batsmen in World Cup history. He has played 37 World Cup ODIs, scoring 1,795 runs at an average of 59.83, including five centuries and 12 fifties, with a highest score of 117.
In his overall ODI career, 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 and his strike rate stands at 93.95.
Kohli also has an impressive record in T20 World Cups, having scored 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.73. He has 15 half-centuries, the most in the tournament’s history, and has been named Player of the Tournament twice, in 2014 and 2016.
Rohit, meanwhile, said he does not view his World Cup ambitions as unfinished business that can simply be completed, stressing that there will always be another challenge as long as he continues playing.
“The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished. As long as you're playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I'm looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me,” Rohit said.
“When the World Cup is played, when we play an ICC tournament, it has its own unique challenge, because you face different opponents, you play at different venues. So, you have to prepare differently, think in a different way and that is the challenge,” he added.
The first ODI of the West Indies’ tour of India will be played on Sunday. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 pm and will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.