India's Virat Kohli, one of the most accomplished batters, says he would consider playing in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 if he can still add value to the team.
India's batting legend Virat Kohli, currently a hero to hundreds of millions of Indian fans, expressed his willingness to potentially return for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Speaking in a podcast released on Friday, Kohli he would only consider playing if he could still "add value" to the team.
At 37 years old and regarded as one of the most accomplished batters of his generation, Kohli is known for his exceptional skills both domestically and internationally. However, his India contract was recently downgraded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has led him to play exclusively in the 50-over format.
In the podcast, Kohli emphasized that he wants to continue playing cricket and carry on with his career. "Playing a World Cup for India is amazing," he said. Despite this, Kohli expressed concern about feeling like he needs to prove himself if he were to return to international cricket. He stated, "If I'm made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space."
Kohli's recent performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further highlights his impact on the game. After bouncing back from two consecutive ducks, he scored an unbeaten 105, leading defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a crucial win this week. This was Kohli's ninth century in the IPL but his first of the season.
Reflecting on his career, Kohli mentioned that after retiring from Test cricket in 2025 due to form struggles following India's World Cup victory, he had also retired from T20 internationals. He added, "After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that this is not meant to be for me."
Kohli's come at a time when the Indian cricket team is preparing for the 2027 World Cup, which will mark a significant milestone for both Kohli personally and for India as a nation. His willingness to potentially return adds an interesting dimension to discussions about future plans in international cricket.
