Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli’s 84th international century has breathed fresh energy into two of the most hotly debated questions surrounding him. The first: will he play the next 50-over World Cup, scheduled for October-November 2027? The second: how close can he get to Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 100 international centuries?
These are fascinating times for Kohli in the context of the 2027 World Cup—even if the pursuit of 100 centuries appears less straightforward. The debate received new momentum on December 2, a day before he scored his 53rd century in the second India–South Africa ODI in Raipur, when it was confirmed that Kohli would, indeed, turn out for Delhi in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy this month.
Though this confirmation followed the BCCI’s reported directive to international cricketers to participate in domestic tournaments when not on India duty, Kohli’s nod to the Vijay Hazare Trophy clearly signals his eagerness to play the next World Cup. He also took a giant step towards that goal by scoring a brilliant century—his world-record 53rd in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30.
His Man-of-the-Match winning 120-ball 135 (11x4s, 7x6s) in Ranchi demonstrated, point by point, that he remains a perfect fit on all fronts: physical fitness, sharp running between the wickets, situational awareness, the ability to pick gaps effortlessly, and strong fielding and catching.
World Cup conundrum
A major talking point in Indian cricket today is whether Kohli (and Rohit Sharma) will feature in the 2027 World Cup. Kohli has already appeared in four 50-over World Cups and was part of the title-winning side in 2011. Rohit has played three, coming agonisingly close to winning the 2023 edition as captain. So, will the two stalwarts add another campaign to their already illustrious careers?
At present, both are in excellent form. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who handed Kohli his international debut in 2008 as chairman of the selection committee, believes both giants have a realistic chance of playing in 2027.
“Actually, their form has been outstanding. They have been great players over the years, and their contribution to Indian cricket is huge,” Vengsarkar told Patriot in an exclusive conversation.
“Both have very good prospects of playing in the 2027 World Cup. They are in good form, and if they keep their fitness levels the same way, that will be motivation enough. I am sure they will be there because in cricket, age is no criterion. The only criteria are cricket, form and fitness,” said the 69-year-old former batting star.
Kohli turned 37 last month, and Rohit is now well into his 39th year.
Kudos to Kohli
Vengsarkar is particularly impressed by Kohli’s exceptional fitness standards. “Virat has maintained his fitness, and that is important. He looks the same as I have seen him before. So, there is no doubt that he has maintained his form and fitness,” emphasised the stylish batsman who himself made the No. 3 and 4 positions his own in his prime.
While Kohli set the benchmark long ago, Rohit too has shed weight in recent years and remains a sharp fielder and outstanding catcher. Kohli, with his strong arm, continues to patrol the boundary effectively, firing in powerful throws. Both cricketers contribute significantly even when not batting.
And their recent numbers underline their continued excellence. In his last 11 ODI innings, including the second ODI in Raipur, Kohli crossed 50 six times, including three centuries, an 84, and an unbeaten 74. Rohit, meanwhile, registered four 50-plus scores in his last six ODIs and won the Man of the Series award in India’s three-match contest in Australia in October.
World Cup: a long shot
However, the next World Cup remains two years away. Scheduled for October–November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, it leaves ample time for fortunes to shift. Critics argue that Kohli and Rohit are in the twilight of their careers. Yet, as the saying goes, age is just a number—and, as Vengsarkar insists, selection must depend solely on form and fitness. Importantly, both now play only the ODI format.
Former India left-arm spinner Maninder Singh offers high praise for Kohli. “He is a committed person and cricketer. He felt he was done with Test cricket, so he quit that format. He has a huge reputation, and he wouldn’t let it down. It shows he is mentally strong,” Maninder told Patriot.
Yet Maninder remains cautious. “My view is that the World Cup is too distant in the future. Two years is too long a period, and it is too early to predict anything. It is premature to say anything now,” he says.
This ensures that Indian fans—and the media—will have a long-running debate on their hands.
Sachin’s record
Alongside the World Cup question, Kohli’s fans—unlike Rohit’s—have their eyes fixed on another milestone: Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries. Rohit has 50, while Kohli sits second on the all-time list with 84. Even Kohli’s most ardent supporters admit that scoring 17 more hundreds is a monumental ask.
