India’s Virat Kohli says he will not play in the 2027 Cricket World Cup if he needs to prove his worth to the team.
Former captain Kohli is regarded as one of the greatest 50-over batters in history and was part of the last India team to win the World Cup in 2011. He also played a key role in last year’s Champions Trophy success.
The 37-year-old has retired from India’s Test and T20 teams but remains involved in their 50-over side.
“If I can add value to the environment that I’m a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I’ll be seen,” Kohli told the RCB Podcast, when the subject turned to the next World Cup.
“If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space.
“When I arrive to play, I put my head down, I work as hard, if not harder, than anyone else. And I play the game in the right way.
“You want me to run from boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game, I will do that without a complaint. Because I prepare accordingly.
“I prepare for the fact that I will field 50 overs every ball like it’s the last ball I’m going to play in my career, and I will bat that way and I will run between the wickets that way, and I will do everything possible for the team.
“After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that place is not meant to be for me. And I am very clear in my head from that perspective.”