Despite a triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, the international cricket future of batting maestro Virat Kohli appears to be shrouded in uncertainty, particularly concerning his participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. With recent retirements from T20Is and Tests, and a significant leadership change in the ODI format, questions are mounting over the veteran's long-term role as India looks to build a team for the next global showpiece event. ### The Farewell to Formats: T20Is and Tests Concluded Virat Kohli's journey in two formats of international cricket has drawn to a close in quick succession. Following India's historic victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where he played a pivotal role with a match-winning 76 runs off 59 balls in the final against South Africa, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals.^[1][2][3] This decision came after a challenging initial phase of the tournament where he struggled for runs, scoring only 75 runs from seven innings before his crucial final knock.^[1][4] His performance in the final was a remarkable turnaround, earning him the Player of the Match award and India's first T20 World Cup title since 2007.^[1] Just months later, on May 12, 2025, Kohli further surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket, a format he had "wholeheartedly embraced."^[5][6][7] This decision followed closely on the heels of former captain Rohit Sharma's retirement from red-ball cricket.^[5][8] While RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, indicated Kohli preferred no further attention on his Test retirement,^[7] former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary suggested that Kohli's Test retirement stemmed from dissatisfaction with the team management's attitude.^[9] BCCI official Arun Dhumal publicly expressed his desire for Kohli to reconsider his Test retirement, highlighting his continued fitness and ambassadorial role for the sport.^[6] ### ODI Crossroads: A Path to 2027? The focus has now squarely shifted to Kohli's One Day International (ODI) future. As of October 2025, Kohli has been included in India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 19.^[8][10][11] This marks his return to international duty since India's triumph in the Champions Trophy in March 2025.^[10][12][13] However, the landscape of India's ODI leadership has undergone a significant change. Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit Sharma as the new ODI captain, a move signaling a transitional phase with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.^{[8][13][11][14]} While Gill has publicly stated that both Kohli and Rohit are "very much in India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup" due to their immense experience and match-winning abilities,^[8][13][11] the age factor remains a considerable talking point. By the time of the next World Cup, Kohli will be 39, and Rohit Sharma 40.^[8] To address concerns regarding match readiness and consistent form, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly mandated that senior players, including Kohli and Rohit, participate in domestic cricket when not on national duty.^[15][16][17] * **Upcoming Domestic Commitment:** Both Kohli and Rohit are expected to feature in at least three matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier one-day domestic tournament, between December 2025 and January 2026, ahead of India's ODI series against New Zealand.^{[12][15][16][17]} * **Selector's Stance:** Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has emphasized that all centrally contracted players, if fit and available, are expected to play domestic cricket to maintain match readiness.^[15][17] * **Expert Concerns:** Former selector Dilip Vengsarkar has voiced concerns about assessing the form and fitness of players who are active in only one format, especially given the considerable gaps between their international appearances.^[18] ### A Champion's Resilience: Recent Form and Challenges Despite the swirling discussions about his international future, Virat Kohli has demonstrated his enduring class and commitment. In the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, he displayed prolific form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scoring 657 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 146.5.^[10][19] He finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, contributing significantly to RCB's maiden IPL title victory, where he scored 43 runs in the final.^[19] Rumours of his IPL retirement were quickly debunked, with BCCI officials expressing hope for his continued participation.^[2][6] Kohli's recent contributions to India's ICC trophy wins – the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy – underscore his continued ability to perform at the highest level. How^[1][10][19]ever, the strategic shift towards younger leadership and the emphasis on domestic performances for senior players indicate a clear pathway being laid out for the future of Indian cricket. As Virat Kohli prepares for the upcoming ODI series against Australia and potentially the Vijay Hazare Trophy, his performances will be under intense scrutiny. While his legacy is undeniable, the coming months will be crucial in determining the extent of his involvement in India's ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup, as the team management navigates the delicate balance between experience and future-proofing.