Virat Kohli will skip 2027 World Cup if forced to prove worth to India
India legend Virat Kohli has declared he will not participate in the 2027 Cricket World Cup if he is made to feel he must continually prove his worth to the national team.
The 37-year-old has already retired from Test and T20 international cricket but remains an active, vital part of the 50-over setup.
He is widely regarded as one of the finest one-day batters in history and played a crucial role in both the 2011 World Cup victory and last year’s Champions Trophy success.
Refusal to justify his place
Speaking on the RCB Podcast, the former captain explained his firm mindset regarding his future in the sport.
“If I can add value to the environment that I’m a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I’ll be seen,” he stated.
“If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space.”
The modern-day great emphasised his relentless work ethic and willingness to give absolutely everything on the field.
Unwavering commitment to the team
“When I arrive to play, I put my head down, I work as hard, if not harder, than anyone else. And I play the game in the right way.”
“You want me to run from boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game, I will do that without a complaint. Because I prepare accordingly.”
The top-order batsman noted that he prepares to treat every single delivery in the field as if it were the final ball of his career.
“After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that place is not meant to be for me. And I am very clear in my head from that perspective.”
An unrivaled one-day pedigree
Only Sachin Tendulkar has amassed more than his phenomenal tally of 14,797 runs across 311 one-day internationals.
The right-hander boasts a staggering overall average of 58.71, which notably climbs to 65.78 when chasing down targets in the second innings.
Furthermore, his exceptional record in South Africa – the host nation for the 2027 tournament – stands at a formidable average of 76.38 from 20 matches.
Frustration with external noise
During the interview, the prolific run-scorer admitted that certain individuals are currently attempting to overcomplicate his situation.
While he refrained from naming anyone specifically, his frustration with shifting expectations and unprompted criticism was glaringly apparent.
“Look, if you go to your workplace, and if people say we believe in your abilities, and then a week later they start questioning the way you operate, it’s like, why?” he asked.
“Either tell me on day one I’m not good enough or I’m not needed. Or if you’ve said I’m good enough and you say we’re not even thinking otherwise, then be quiet.”