“Virat is going to be there” - Mark Boucher confident of Virat Kohli playing ICC World Cup 2027

Former South Africa keeper-batter Mark Boucher has stated that without an iota of doubt, he feels the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli would continue to represent Team India until the end of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Speaking exclusively to ANI in Paarl, Mark Boucher said that with the Indian batter not having any fitness issues, the decision depends solely on Kohli's desire to continue in international cricket. 

"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,” Boucher told ANI. 

“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," he added.

Virat Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, has been in exceptional form in 50-over cricket since bagging two consecutive ODI ducks in Australia back in October 2025. Since then, he has gone on to score fifty-plus scores in all the games he played for India and Delhi.

Notably, since his two ducks, Kohli has played seven 50-over matches, comprising five ODIs and two Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) games. He has scored four half-centuries and three centuries in his last seven innings. In the three-match ODI series against South Africa, Kohli's scores read 135, 102 and 65*.

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