Former Australian batting opener David Warner believes Team India batsman Virat Kohli can extend his career beyond 2027. The retired cricketer feels ‘King Kohli’ can deliver more on the international scene after exiting 2 out of 3 formats in recent years:
“I had not seen Virat Kohli in a fair while, so I just embraced him, gave him a handshake and hug, and just asked how he and the family were going. We spoke a little about cricket, then I told him he looks super fit and can play until he’s 50,” Warner said during a recent interview.
“No Reason Why” Kohli Can’t Play Past 2027 – Warner
The veteran Aussie batsman responded to questions regarding Kohli’s immediate future during the interview:
“I think that is a good question for Virat. If you have still got the hunger and the desire to keep playing, and he wants to play in 2027, and his mindset is there, there’s no reason why he can’t,” he added.
“No doubts” about Kohli’s passion, ability
“He (Virat) is one of the fittest guys in the game, along with being a great father and a husband. So for me, I have got no doubts he can make that. It is whether he still has that passion to get up for training and to do all the stuff you have to do to get there. And I would never doubt that at all with his mindset,”
Ravi Shastri Also Asks Kohli to Consider Post-2027 ODI WC Future
Former Team India skipper and coach Ravi Shastri agrees with Warner’s stance regarding Kohli’s future after the 2027 WC. However, the former coach believes Kohli’s trophy-laden portfolio could trigger his retirement next year:
“I think in his case, it is the passion, the hunger, the desire. You know, how much is there? When you have played for over a decade and a half and you’ve achieved almost everything in the game, you know, what is there to look forward to?” Shastri said.
Where Does Virat Kohli Rank Among Top Run-Scorers at ODI World Cups?
Virat currently ranks second among players with the highest individual scores at ODI World Cups so far. Only Sachin ‘Master Blaster’ Tendulkar is ahead of Kohli in the all-time batting scores rankings.
| Player | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 45 | 44 | 2278 | 152 | 56.95 | 88.98 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 241 | 27 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 37 | 37 | 1795 | 117 | 59.83 | 88.20 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 159 | 14 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 46 | 42 | 1743 | 140 | 45.86 | 79.95 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 145 | 31 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 28 | 28 | 1575 | 140 | 60.57 | 105.49 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 166 | 54 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 37 | 35 | 1532 | 124 | 56.74 | 86.55 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 147 | 14 |
| David Warner (AUS) | 29 | 29 | 1527 | 178 | 56.55 | 101.46 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 154 | 41 |
| Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 36 | 36 | 1332 | 124 | 41.62 | 82.27 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 128 | 12 |
| Brian Lara (WI) | 34 | 33 | 1225 | 116 | 42.24 | 86.26 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 131 | 17 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 23 | 22 | 1207 | 162 | 63.52 | 117.29 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 121 | 37 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 35 | 34 | 1186 | 215 | 35.93 | 90.53 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 116 | 49 |
| Kane Williamson (NZ) | 27 | 26 | 1167 | 148 | 61.42 | 81.21 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 114 | 10 |
Kohli may seek to solidify his record among high-scoring ODI batters at the 2027 WC ahead of retirement.
Kohli Leads Highest Individual Run Rankings at ODI WCs Ahead of 2027
Virat Kohli’s remarkable run at the ODI WC 2023 places him atop the individual score rankings among Indian batters. Kohli registered 765 runs at the last ODI WC to secure his spot among compatriots with the highest tallies so far.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Innings | Average | 100s | 50s | Year |
| Virat Kohli | 765 | 11 | 11 | 95.62 | 3 | 6 | 2023 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 673 | 11 | 11 | 61.18 | 1 | 6 | 2003 |
| Rohit Sharma | 648 | 9 | 9 | 81.00 | 5 | 1 | 2019 |
| Rohit Sharma | 597 | 11 | 11 | 55.00 | 1 | 3 | 2023 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 530 | 11 | 11 | 66.25 | 2 | 3 | 2023 |
Kohli Could Set Sights on Major Record at ODI World Cup 2027
Virat is not currently in the best five places among Indian cricketers with highest individual batting scores at T20 World Cups. The veteran could target highest individual batting scores set by Sourav Ganguly at the 1999 ODI World Cup if he gets a chance in 2027.
| Player | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Sourav Ganguly | 183 | Sri Lanka | County Ground, Taunton | 1999 |
| Kapil Dev | 175 | Zimbabwe | Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells | 1983 |
| Virender Sehwag | 175 | Bangladesh | Bangabandhu Stadium, Dhaka | 2011 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 152 | Namibia | City Oval, Pietermaritzburg | 2003 |
| Rahul Dravid | 145 | Sri Lanka | County Ground, Taunton | 1999 |
Kohli needs to register 184 runs at the next ODI WC to sit atop rankings of best individual Indian hitters at the 50-over WC.
