Putting all the retirement speculations at rest, India batter Virat Kohli cleared the air about his future plans and revealed that he wants to bring the next ODI World Cup home. The next edition of the ODI World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. Cricket experts and fans have been speculating the retirement plans for the right-hander’s future after Rohit Sharma and co won the Champions Trophy in Dubai. 

However, while addressing the event in Mumbai, Kohli confirmed that he is not planning to step aside anytime soon. He further reassured his fans that the batter wants to win another ICC title before hanging up his boots.

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“Staying in the present. Any hints about the next big step,” the host asked Virat Kohli, to which he replied, “The next big step. I don’t know, but maybe try to win the next World Cup.” As soon as the 36-year-old completed his sentence the audience started applauding and cheering. 

Virat Kohli emerged as the highest run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup, but his efforts fell short as India suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India last lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Since then, they faced semi-final exits in 2015 and 2019 before falling at the final hurdle in 2023, leaving millions of Indian fans disappointed.

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Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year, the former captain announced his retirement from T20Is. Speculation about Kohli’s future has been ongoing, intensifying after his underwhelming tour of Australia, where he managed only 190 runs in nine innings.

However, Kohli silenced his critics with a stellar performance in the Champions Trophy, scoring a century against Pakistan and delivering a match-winning 84-run knock against Australia in the semi-final.