New Delhi, 26 September (H.S.):

Indian cricket great Virat Kohli has said that the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, to be held in South Africa, will be his last World Cup for India and that his objective will be to win the title.

Speaking to JioStar ahead of India’s upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies, Kohli said the intensity of a 50-over World Cup is different from that of any other format. He noted that maintaining a consistently high level of intensity at a World Cup played in overseas conditions presents a major challenge.

“This will be my last World Cup for India, and that is my motivation. I want to give it everything I have. Obviously, the goal is to win the World Cup, and I am fully prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that,” Kohli said.

Kohli and Rohit Sharma are now playing international cricket in only one format. Both are focusing on preparations for next year’s World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, said his unfinished business at the World Cup was not yet complete. He added that as long as he continued to play, there would always be something left for him to achieve.

Rohit said ICC tournaments require teams to deal with different opponents, venues and playing conditions, which means players must also adapt their preparation and mindset accordingly.

India and the West Indies will play the first ODI of the series on September 27, beginning at 2 p.m. Both teams will look to build towards the upcoming World Cup through the series.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar