Virat Kohli Eyes Last World Cup Glory, Ready to Give His All for India
Virat Kohli is determined to make the 2027 World Cup his last, aiming for victory with all his energy and focus.
New Delhi, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is setting his sights on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which he acknowledges may be his final One Day International (ODI) World Cup. Speaking ahead of the ODI series against the West Indies, Kohli expressed his commitment to making this tournament memorable and leading India to victory.
In an interview with ‘GeoStar’, Kohli highlighted the unique pressures of the 50-over World Cup. He noted that the intensity and demands of this format surpass those of any other tournament. Kohli remarked that the pace of ODI cricket has become akin to T20, increasing both physical and mental strain on players.
“The intensity of the 50-over World Cup is unmatched,” Kohli stated. “You have to play 10 matches under T20-like pressure and speed. It’s as if you’re playing the equivalent of two and a half T20 matches in a single day.”
Kohli emphasized the challenge of maintaining high energy and performance levels throughout a significant tournament. He acknowledged that the 2027 World Cup will take place in foreign conditions, which will present additional challenges for the players. “Sustaining that intensity over such a long period isn’t easy. When the tournament is held abroad, it demands even more energy, preparation, and mental strength,” he explained.
He candidly shared that the prospect of this potentially being his last World Cup drives him. Kohli’s primary goal is to secure the championship for India, and he is prepared to give everything to achieve that. “This will be my last World Cup representing India. That’s my biggest motivation. You strive to give your all on the field. The goal is to win the World Cup, and I am fully ready to do whatever it takes,” Kohli affirmed.
Kohli has been one of the most successful batsmen in World Cup history, having played 37 matches with an impressive average of 59.83, accumulating 1,795 runs, including five centuries and 12 half-centuries. His highest score in the tournament is 117 runs. Across his ODI career, he has scored 14,941 runs at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 half-centuries.
In T20 World Cup, Kohli’s record is equally remarkable. He has scored 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.73, with 15 half-centuries, the most in the tournament’s history. He was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ twice in 2014 and 2016.
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma also expressed his desire to win the ICC World Cup, emphasizing that he views it as an ongoing challenge rather than a completed task. “I never think that my job is done. As long as you play, there will always be new challenges ahead,” Rohit stated. He is eagerly looking forward to the World Cup and the unique challenges it presents, which require tailored preparations and strategies.
