"Virat Kohli very serious about playing in 2027 ICC World Cup- Dinesh Karthik makes a stunning revelation amid batter's retirement rumours

Virat Kohli will make his India return in Australia ODIs starting October 19.

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik believes Virat Kohli is eager to play in ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. Kohli has retired from T20I and test versions of the game, but he continues to play ODIs, where he has 51 hundreds.

Karthik added that Kohli is determined to compete in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup and has been preparing in London during his time away from the field.

“He is keen to play the World Cup. That is number one. In London, he was training during this big layoff that he has had after a long time in his life. I also know he was practicing cricket easily 2-3 sessions a week.

“Now that tells you the man is serious about wanting to play this World Cup. And if he is around, there is no tension, according to me. Because he knows what it takes to perform under pressure. And he has done that time and time again. And I am very confident he will do it again,” Karthik said on his Instagram.

Virat Kohli last played for India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, scoring a century against Pakistan and an invaluable 84 against Australia in the semi-final.

Virat Kohli is very important to India’s chances in the 2027 World Cup: Dinesh Karthik

Karthik stated that Virat Kohli, who now only plays ODIs, is the central batter around whom everyone else plays. His experience, ability to absorb pressure, and knowledge are invaluable, as other batters are more attacking in nature.

“Virat Kohli is back, and why is he so important to India’s chances in the 2027 World Cup? Let’s start with just pure stats. Since the 2023 World Cup, he has scored 1098 runs at 64.58. Now, if you just see how India has played for some time now, he is the fulcrum. He is the most important glue in that team around which everybody else plays.

The likes of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul—they all play attacking, positive cricket because they know Virat Kohli is there to absorb pressure. In case things go wrong, he will take care of it from one end. The latest example is the Champions Trophy against Pakistan. A bit of a wobble; he was there at 31 for 1. And then if you do take the semi-finals (vs. Australia) as well, 42 for 2, he was batting there again; he got India out of a precarious situation,” Karthik added.

The Australia vs India ODI series will begin on October 19 in Perth, followed by two ODIs in Adelaide and Sydney.

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