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Mark Boucher Confident Virat Kohli Will Play 2027 ODI World Cup

Former South African cricketer Mark Boucher has expressed strong confidence that Virat Kohli will play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Boucher stated there is no issue with Kohli's fitness and that the decision rests solely on the batter's desire to continue. He emphasized that India still needs Kohli's experience, noting a visible gap when senior players are absent. Kohli's recent ODI form, featuring centuries and fifties, has silenced critics who questioned his future after a brief lean patch.

Key Points: Boucher: Virat Kohli Will Play 2027 ODI World Cup

  • Boucher confident on Kohli's 2027 WC participation
  • Kohli's fitness not a question
  • Decision depends on Kohli's desire to play
  • India needs his experience
2 min read

"No doubt on my mind": Mark Boucher sees Virat Kohli playing 2027 ODI World Cup

Mark Boucher says Virat Kohli's fitness is not an issue and he has no doubt the Indian star will feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

"Virat is going to be there. There's no doubt in my mind. - Mark Boucher"

By Vivek Prabhakar Singh, Paarl, January 11 Former South Africa cricketer Mark Boucher said he has no doubt that Virat Kohli will play the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year.

Boucher said there's no question about Kohli's fitness, and the decision will be entirely up to the Indian batter whether he wants to play or not.

Speaking to ANI in Paarl, Mark Boucher said he is confident Virat Kohli will play the 2027 ODI World Cup, adding that his fitness is not an issue and the decision depends only on Kohli's desire to continue.

Boucher stressed that India still needs his experience, noting the gap left when senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma are absent.

"Virat is going to be there. There's no doubt in my mind. I mean, he's given up a couple of the formats at the moment. There's nothing about his fitness at all. It's just about whether he actually wants to play. And I think for me, I'm sure that his mind is set on coming here and playing in another World Cup. And India needs him as well. I mean, we've seen in India that Test cricket, where Rohit and Virat are not there, it does leave a hole. And so I think the World Cup in South Africa would be a better tournament if Virat Kohli is involved. And obviously, for India, it would be fantastic if he stands there as well," Boucher said.

Virat Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, has been in incredible form in 50-over cricket since registering two consecutive ODI ducks in Australia back in October 2025, which led critics to question Kohli's cricket future.

However, since then, Kohli has played six 50-over matches, comprising four ODIs and two Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) games, without registering a single score below 50. He has scored three fifties and three centuries in his last six innings. In the three-match ODI series against South Africa in November-December, Kohli's scores read 135, 102 and 65*.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living abroad, I completely agree with Boucher. A World Cup without Virat Kohli just feels incomplete. He's a global icon of the sport. His passion on the field lifts the entire tournament. South Africa 2027 would be a fantastic stage for a potential farewell.
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Ananya R
Respectfully, I think we need to look forward. We have amazing young talent like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad waiting. Kohli is a legend, but planning for a 38-year-old to be our main batter in a World Cup might not be the best long-term strategy. The transition has to happen sometime.
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Vikram M
His recent scores - 135, 102, 65* against SA speak for themselves. The man is a run machine. The hunger is clearly still there. It will all come down to his personal drive and managing workload. If anyone can do it, it's Virat.
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Karthik V
Boucher is spot on about the hole left when seniors are absent. We saw it in the Test series. But the bigger question is, will the BCCI manage his schedule wisely? They should protect him from bilaterals and let him focus on ICC events. That's the key to extending his career.
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Priya S
Honestly, just let the man decide. He's earned that right. No pressure from fans or media. If he feels he can contribute and win us the cup, he'll play. If not, he'll make way. We should trust our champion. 🇮🇳

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