Virat Kohli is set to return to the Indian side for the Australia ODI series starting October 19. Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik believes Kohli is highly motivated to feature in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. Although Kohli has retired from T20Is and Tests, he remains active in ODIs, where he has amassed 51 centuries.
Dinesh Karthik revealed that Kohli has been preparing diligently in London during his time away from competitive cricket.
“Dinesh Karthik is focused on playing the World Cup—that is his number one goal. During this extended break, he has been training in London, putting in 2–3 practice sessions a week,” Dinesh Karthik said on Instagram. “This shows how serious he is about competing in the World Cup. If he is in the squad, there’s no need for tension. He knows what it takes to perform under pressure, and he has proven it time and again. I am confident he will do it again.”
Kohli last represented India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, scoring a century against Pakistan and an invaluable 84 against Australia in the semi-final.
Dinesh Karthik: Virat Kohli Is Key to India’s 2027 World Cup Hopes
Dinesh Karthik emphasized that Virat Kohli, now focusing solely on ODIs, remains the central batter around whom the Indian team revolves. His experience, composure under pressure, and game awareness provide a stabilizing presence, allowing other batters to play more aggressively.
“Virat Kohli is back, and why is he so crucial for India’s chances in the 2027 World Cup? Let’s look at the numbers. Since the 2023 World Cup, he has amassed 1,098 runs at an average of 64.58. If you observe India’s recent ODI setups, he is the fulcrum—the key glue holding the team together.
Players like Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul play attacking cricket with the confidence that Virat can handle pressure from the other end. A recent example is the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, where India was 31 for 1, and he steadied the innings. Similarly, in the semi-final against Australia, India was 42 for 2, and he once again rescued the team from a tricky situation,” Dinesh Karthik explained.
The Australia vs India ODI series kicks off on October 19 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide and Sydney.
