Virat Kohli has enough cricket left in him, according to former South Africa head coach Mark Boucher, to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will co-host next year. He claimed that the Indian batting legend will not be constrained by his age.
The Delhi player is still playing ODI cricket, but the Indian icon withdrew from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and from Tests last year.
Regarding Kohli’s longevity and ongoing significance in international cricket, Boucher said he had great faith in the former captain of India’s ability to continue playing for his country in the upcoming international 50-over competition. For more than ten years, Kohli has been a key player in India’s ODI strategy and remains an essential middle order cog.
Boucher noted that Kohli’s career window has been greatly prolonged by professionalism, modern fitness standards, and his own dedication to training. He pointed out that athletes can now play at their best well into their late thirties if they retain their high levels of fitness and mental discipline.
“Virat will be present. I have no doubts about that. In other words, he has currently abandoned a few of the forms. Nothing at all about his fitness is mentioned. The only question is if he truly wants to play. And in my opinion, he is certain that he intends to come here and compete in another World Cup. He is also needed in India. We’ve seen in India that the absence of Rohit and Virat leaves a gap in Test cricket. Therefore, I believe that Virat Kohli’s participation at the World Cup in South Africa would make it a better competition.
It would be great for India, of course, if he also stood there,” Boucher added.
By the time the event takes place, Kohli will be 38 years old, but his previous results in a variety of formats have strengthened the notion that he is far from declining. He is an invaluable asset in the ODI format because of his versatility, comprehension of match circumstances, and ability to anchor innings.
In his last five ODIs, Kohli has amassed two hundreds and three half-centuries since the two consecutive ducks he suffered back in Australia in October 2025. In December of last year, he also took home the Player of the Series trophy against South Africa. He recently became the second-highest run scorer in cricket history across all formats against New Zealand in the first ODI.
On January 14, Kohli would return to action in Rajkot against New Zealand.
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