Virat Kohli, one of cricket's modern greats, has made his intentions clear about playing the 2027 ODI World Cup. Speaking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) podcast, the legendary batsman stated that he wants to continue playing because of his enduring love for the game, not to prove anything to anyone.

Desire to Continue Playing

The 36-year-old, who has already retired from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, revealed that playing a World Cup for India remains an amazing experience. "Of course, if I'm playing, I want to play cricket. I want to carry on. Playing a World Cup for India is amazing," Kohli said, addressing the speculation around his future in the 50-over format.

Two-Sided Value Principle

Kohli emphasized that his continuation in the team depends on mutual respect and value addition. "My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space," he explained.

The batting maestro further elaborated on his mindset, stating: "After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that place is not meant to be for me. And I am very clear in my head from that perspective. That's why when I went back to play, I was very clear in my head, I'm not going out there to prove anything to anyone. I'm going to play because I love playing the game."

Uncompromising Work Ethic

KohliAssertion his dedication remains as strong as ever. "You want me to run boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game? I will do that without a complaint. Because I prepare accordingly. I prepare for the fact that I will field 50 overs, every ball like it's the last ball I'm going to play in my career. And I will bat that way. And I will run between the wickets that way. And I will do everything possible for the team," he declared.

Recent Form and Domestic Cricket

Over the last two years, Kohli has been in fine touch in the one-day format, scoring three hundreds and averaging 65.10 in 2025. Currently, he averages 80 from three ODIs in 2026. His keenness to continue in the format took him back to domestic cricket, where he made a rare appearance for Delhi in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 131 and 77 in two games.

"That's how I played Vijay Hazare as well. It was amazing. There was not a person in the COE (Centre of Excellence). First, I thought, 'I've played for so long and will it be motivating enough?' But the moment my intention switched to 'I want to play because I love playing. I just love batting. And I just want to focus on that'. And I could not care. It's not like I didn't field. I fielded the whole game and I was diving around and I felt like a child again," Kohli recalled.

Year-Round Preparation

Kohli explained that his preparation runs through the year and is complemented by a disciplined lifestyle that he follows not only to play cricket. "It's not like I prepare for a series to suddenly start working hard two or three weeks before. I'm like that through the year. So, if you call me to play and if you say there's a series coming up: I'm ready. I'm always ready because that's my daily life. I work out, we eat well at home. It's because I like living that way," he said.

With 14,797 runs in 311 ODIs at a staggering average of 58.71 and strike rate of 93.82, including 54 centuries and 77 fifties, Kohli continues to remain one of India's most valuable players in white-ball cricket. The question now remains whether the team management and selectors will provide him the opportunity to participate in what could potentially be his final World Cup in 2027.