Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are now playing only ODI cricket at the highest level, but both remain focused on the same big target, the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

With India set to begin their new home season against the West Indies on Sunday, the two senior batters spoke to JioStar about the challenge of playing a 50-over World Cup and what they are expecting from the tournament in South Africa in 2027.

Virat Kohli for ODI World Cup 2027

For Kohli, the upcoming World Cup carries extra significance as he expects it to be his final appearance for India in the fifty-over marquee event.

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“The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything. Because now, it’s about 10 games at a T20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it’s in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you. For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” Kohli told JioStar.

Rohit Sharma for ODI World Cup 2027

Rohit, meanwhile, said he does not see his World Cup journey as unfinished business, but admitted that an ICC tournament always brings a different kind of challenge.

“The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished. As long as you’re playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I’m looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me. When the World Cup is played, when we play an ICC tournament, it has its own unique challenge, because you face different opponents, you play at different venues. So, you have to prepare differently, think in a different way and that is the challenge,” Rohit said.

Rohit and Virat will now be seen in action in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. Earlier, the duo featured in the three-match ODI series against England.

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RoKo's performance in India's last ODI assignment vs England

Both Rohit and Kohli featured in India’s last ODI assignment against England. Kohli finished the three-match series with 144 runs. He scored five runs in the opening ODI before bouncing back with 65 in the second match. He then made 74 in the final game at Lord’s.

Rohit’s series started slowly. He managed scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches before producing a stunning 138 in the third ODI. The century helped Rohit finish the series as India’s leading run-scorer, with 175 runs from three matches.

IND vs WI ODI Series schedule

No.

DAY

Date

Time

Match

Venue

1

Sun

27-Sep-26

2:00 PM

1st ODI

Trivandrum

2

Wed

30-Sep-26

2:00 PM

2nd ODI

Guwahati

3

Sat

03-Oct-26

2:00 PM

3rd ODI

New Chandigarh

IND vs WI ODI Squads

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC], Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.

West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.


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