Indian cricket veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have officially set their sights on capturing the 2027 ODI World Cup title, with Kohli confirming that the upcoming tournament in Africa will mark his final appearance in a World Cup for India.
Speaking to JioHotstar ahead of India’s series against the West Indies, the two senior batsmen opened up about their international futures. Having retired from both Test and T20I formats, Kohli and Rohit now focus exclusively on one-day internationals, driven by a shared motivation to amend the heartbreak of India’s runner-up finish to Australia at the 2023 tournament in Ahmedabad.
Unfinished Business and Deepening Conversations
For both players, the journey toward the 2027 showcase is about addressing unfinished business. Having experienced near-misses together across 16 ICC tournaments-including the 2019 semifinal defeat to New Zealand and the 2023 final loss-the veterans are leaning into more detailed, intense conversations to fine-tune their performances.
Kohli emphasized that leadership communication remains central to their preparation. Just as they previously bounced ideas off former captain MS Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit continuously exchange tactical insights to ensure the team operates at its absolute best.
Roadmap and Upcoming Fixtures Until 2027
To reach the 2027 ODI World Cup-scheduled from October 4 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia-the duo faces a structured build-up. India is scheduled to play at least 14 ODIs before the mega-event, not including potential matches in the Asia Cup.
Confirmed Bilateral ODI Schedule
- September 2026: vs West Indies (Home) – 3 ODIs
- November 2026: vs New Zealand (Away) – 5 ODIs
- December 2026: vs Sri Lanka (Home) – 3 ODIs
- January 2027: vs Zimbabwe (Home) – 3 ODIs
- June 2027: Asia Cup (Bangladesh) – Expected 50-over format
Former teammate Suresh Raina has strongly backed the inclusion of both players in the 2027 squad, pointing to their massive experience and stunning numbers in previous World Cups. With Kohli boasting 1,795 runs and Rohit accumulating 1,575 runs in tournament history, their presence is expected to provide calmness and leadership under pressure.
As the team management uses upcoming bilateral series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe to identify the strongest combination, the focus remains firmly on quality preparations and delivering a historic campaign in Africa.
