Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has been in the spotlight amid widespread uncertainty about his availability for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. Now, a TOI journalist has provided a massive update on the Indian veteran's World Cup participation.
Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, has retired from the two forms of international cricket and now plays only the 50-over format. Having made massive contributions to international cricket, Kohli has sidelined himself from the longest and the shortest formats of the game.
Having announced his retirement from Test cricket last year in 2025 before the start of the latest edition of the ICC World Test Championship, Kohli returned to international cricket with India's tour to Australia. He has, since then, played several promising knocks in the one-day format.
Key Points
- Virat Kohli is reportedly expected to play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
- Kohli currently plays only ODI cricket for India after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
- His fitness and recent ODI form are reportedly major reasons behind the positive outlook.
- The final decision on Kohli’s World Cup participation will reportedly involve Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.
Journalist confirms Virat Kohli's participation in the 2027 Cricket World Cup
Kohli's availability for the ICC World Cup 2027 has been a major question swirling around the minds of cricketing pundits. Virat's fitness has never put him on the back foot, and his form has not been questionable either.
While Virat Kohli's record backs him for participation in the 2027 ICC World Cup, the final call is to be made by Gautam Gambhir, the Indian head coach, and Ajit Agarkar, the chief of the Indian board of selectors.
Kohli is currently playing in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has amassed big runs with his bat while striking the ball with some sheer confidence. He is likely to be seen in India's upcoming ODI series.
Virat Kohli is 110 % playing 2027 CWC..
— Kohlistic🔥 (@Kohlistic18) May 8, 2026
TOI sports... pic.twitter.com/pEtJxR4Tn3
Virat Kohli's striking fitness gives him the upper hand over Rohit Sharma for a World Cup spot
Virat Kohli would always be remembered as one of the fittest players in the history of the game. Having set high standards for the Indian team and the future generation of cricketers, Kohli's fitness potency can never be challenged.
Hence, Kohli would not struggle with fitness; however, Rohit Sharma, the other veteran cricketer in the Indian team and the former skipper, has always been on the back foot regarding fitness quotient.
Playing in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians, Sharma missed around five games for them in the season after he suffered a hamstring injury that made him struggle for quite some time. However, Rohit's form has also been praiseworthy since he retired from the longest format.
Can Kohli be the first Indian star to win two World Cups in their careers?
Virat Kohli, as a youngster, was part of the 2008 ICC U-19 World Cup squad for India and led them to a title as the captain of the Indian team. He was then immediately included in the Indian ODI side and, since then, has been an inseparable part.
Kohli was part of the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup squad and also scored his first World Cup century in his debut World Cup. Having played the final as well, Kohli played a crucial knock against Sri Lanka in that iconic win.
Kohli has the opportunity to be the first-ever cricketer from India to be part of two 50-over World Cup-winning squads, if he manages to win the upcoming World Cup in 2027.
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