Dinesh Karthik Confirms Virat Kohli is “Serious” About Playing the 2027 World Cup Amid Retirement Talks

Dinesh Karthik stated Virat Kohli, averaging 64.58 since the 2023 WCC, has been the anchor in Indian ODI side, allowing others to bat aggressively.

Dinesh Karthik Confirms Virat Kohli is “Serious” About Playing the 2027 World Cup Amid Retirement Talks

Dinesh Karthik confidently claimed that Virat Kohli will play for India at the 2027 World Cup. (via NDTV Sports)

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Ahead of the much-anticipated ODI series against Australia, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik made a positive admission about Virat Kohli. Karthik confirmed that the Indian batting stalwart is determined to play for the Men in Blue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, still two years away. 

Virat Kohli, alongside teammate and fellow icon Rohit Sharma, will be making his return to Team India colors after seven long months, having last featured in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. The two players however, face a daunting challenge, which is to maintain fitness and contribute fairly, in order to remain in contention for a place in the Indian ODI setup, amidst retirement rumors.

It has also been reported that Kohli and Sharma have also been instructed to play domestic cricket. The Men in Blue, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, are already preparing themselves for life without the two former captains. Rohit Sharma was in fact, surprisingly removed from the ODI captaincy role, with 26-year-old Shubman Gill being handed the baton instead to lead the side, while Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as vice-captain.

Coming to Kohli’s future, the unsettling rumors were responded to RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik, in a video shared on his social media handle. The 36-year-old former keeper noted that Kohli is keen to play for the Men in Blue in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, in spite of the uncertainty. Karthik further revealed that the former India captain had been training rigorously during his stay in London, detailing that his regimen included gym and on-field sessions two to three times a week.

He [Virat Kohli] is keen to play the World Cup.. In London, he was training during this big layoff he’s had, he was practising cricket easily two to three sessions a week.

Dinesh Karthik added that Virat Kohli preparedness underscores his ‘seriousness’ about playing in the WC, with his Kohli’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations making his presence crucial. Kohli’s numbers in ODI cricket are phenomenal, with 14,181 runs in 302 matches at a remarkable average of 57.88, including 51 hundreds and 74 fifties, third on the list of players with the most international runs in the 50-over format. 

Now that tells you the man [Virat Kohli] is serious about wanting to play this World Cup. And if he’s around, there is no tension, in my opinion , because he knows what it takes to perform under pressure.

Furthermore, Kohli also remains the second highest run-getter in ODI World Cup history. Second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, the 36-year-old has scored 1,795 runs in 37 WC matches at an average of 59.83, including five hundreds and 12 fifties.  

Exit Speculation rises as Virat Kohli delays signing new RCB commercial contract

Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon and one the greatest players in IPL history, Virat Kohli is yet to sign a commercial contract with the franchise, raising questions about his future with the team. This situation arises despite Kohli having helped RCB secure their maiden IPL title earlier this year.

Virat Kohli RCB agreement
Virat Kohli is yet to sign a new commercial contract with RCB. (via Mint)

The commercial branding agreement that Virat Kohli has refused to sign is however, separate from his playing contract, meaning that he could still play for RCB without a commercial tie-up. The only player to have played for a single IPL franchise since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008, Kohli’s decision however, has raised speculation that he might leave the team after their 2025 IPL triumph. 

With the IPL min-auction just a month or two away, it is being speculated that the ace Indian batter might be contemplating retiring from T20 cricket completely. However, ex-Indian all-rounder Mohammad Kaif has attempted to debunk these rumors. Kaif suggested that Kohli’s decision to withhold his signature on a commercial agreement with RCB clearly hints at a possible ownership change within the franchise.

Over the past few months, reports have emerged that Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s current owners, Diageo Plc. have put the franchise up for sale. The 2025 IPL winners have been valued at a whopping $2 billion, and with several parties interested in acquiring the franchise.

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