“Keen to play the World Cup 2027”: Veteran wicketkeeper talks about Virat Kohli’s hunger for ICC glory

Virat Kohli, the Indian batting legend, continues to fire up fans with his ongoing commitment to nothing but cricket greatness as he sets his sights on another major win. Just before the make-or-break ODI series vs Australia, a former team-mate of Kohli’s, Dinesh Karthik, dropped some pretty revealing hints about Kohli’s prep during a bit of a break in London. 

Virat Kohli’s intense focus on 2027 World Cup glory

Dinesh Karthik, who now finds himself in the mentor role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, recently gave some insight into Virat Kohli’s plans in a heartfelt video that’s really resonating with cricket fans all over the world. In it, he shares how Kohli has been using his time off the pitch to put in place a long-term plan for success in international cricket. 

 

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Kohli gets to take a well-earned break after each intense campaign. As you might expect, he’s not missing the chance to stay involved in the sport he loves so dearly – & the coming together of personal rejuvenation & a clear professional drive is quite the sight to see.

In the video, Karthik gives us a real sense of what’s going on in Kohli’s head with some really vivid details about his life away from the game. 

“He is keen to play the World Cup 2027. In London, he was training during this significant layoff that he had after a long time in his life. He was practising cricket, two to three sessions a week. He is serious about wanting to play the World Cup 2027.”

 Karthik says, & it’s that level of commitment that’s got everyone speculating about how much longer Kohli has left in the game and motivated the younger players to up their own game. 

Virat Kohli’s storied legacy against Australia

Virat Kohli has been a giant for India in limited-overs cricket against Australia for a long time, scoring big numbers that speak volumes about his ability to adapt under pressure. He has scored big on their pitches over the years, showing technical and mental toughness that has often turned the game in India’s favour in crunch situations. 

Can Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma match or break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 9 tons against Australia? pic.twitter.com/WHeU7OLY89

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Of late, his performances in the big games have just cemented that image of him – this mix of consistency and explosive bursts that leave the other team on edge. From his past glories all the way through to his current form, the guy really is anything but faded. In fact, you could say with some confidence that he’s still the glue that keeps the team’s batting together – & has been for a long time.

This season alone, he has scored big in several innings, showing he can anchor and accelerate as per the situation in big games. His comfort against Australian conditions comes from a mix of experience and instinct; he knows how to thrive where many others fail on bouncy tracks and sharp pace attacks. As the series unfolds, we will see how these strengths play out against a resurgent opponent.