Virat Kohli says he remains open to playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup if he still feels he can help India and the team believes he can make a difference.
The former India captain shared his thoughts in a podcast released on Friday by his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“If I can add value to the environment that I’m a part of, and the environment feels like I can add value, I’ll be seen,” Kohli said.
“If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space.”
Kohli, now 37, continues to play only one-day internationals for India after stepping away from Test cricket in 2025 and retiring from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup win in 2024.
He remains one of the biggest names in cricket and is the second-highest run scorer in international cricket history.
Despite his record, the Board of Control for Cricket in India downgraded his central contract from the top category earlier this year.
Still, Kohli made it clear that his desire to keep playing remains strong.
“I want to play cricket and I want to carry on,” he said. “Playing a World Cup for India is amazing.”
Kohli recently reminded fans of his class in the Indian Premier League. After back to back ducks, he returned with an unbeaten 105 to guide defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to an important win earlier this week.
It was his ninth IPL century and his first of the current season.
Kohli also said that if he reaches a stage where he must constantly prove his place, he may feel it is time to move on.
“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,” he said.
For now, Kohli’s focus remains on contributing wherever he can, with the possibility of one more World Cup still on the table.
