"My dream is to play match-winning knock in finals": Virat Kohli eyes World Cup glory
Virat Kohli reveals his dream of playing a match-winning knock in a World Cup final as India prepares for the West Indies ODI series.
Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has shared his ultimate cricketing ambition as he prepares for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. The veteran batter expressed a deep desire to play a decisive, match-winning innings in a World Cup final, emphasizing that while individual glory is a personal drive, the team's victory remains the absolute priority.
The hunger for glory and individual excellence
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies, Kohli opened up about his intense competitive nature. He admitted that his instinct has always been to be the player who steers the team toward victory in every match he plays.
"I've always been someone who, in every game that we play, wants to be the guy who wins us the game. I'm made that way; that's never going to go away from me," Kohli told JioStar. "My goal is to win as many games as I can for the team, and my dream is to play a match-winning knock in the finals while chasing a score."
Despite his personal aspirations, the 37-year-old highlighted the selfless nature of his mindset. He noted that if India wins the trophy without him playing that perfect innings, he would be equally satisfied, especially considering the magnitude of the tournament.
"If it happens, great. If it doesn't happen, we win the World Cup, I'll be as happy because eventually, you understand that, as much as that competitive nature is there, it's the last time you're getting to play a World Cup. So, winning that trophy is the most important thing," he added.
The satisfaction of pulling the team through
For Kohli, the psychological satisfaction of being the anchor during a crisis is what drives his performance at the highest level. He described the feeling of visualizing himself rescuing the team from a difficult situation as the pinnacle of a batsman's experience.
"If I have the opportunity to do it, as an individual staying there out in the middle, there's nothing more satisfying as a batsman. You visualise yourself pulling the team out of trouble. And that's what makes you compete at this level," the former captain remarked.
A countdown to the 2027 World Cup
Kohli's journey toward the 2027 World Cup—which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia—is already underway. Having already retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli is now focused exclusively on the ODI format. His recent form has been formidable, having amassed 384 runs in six innings at an average of 64, including one century and three fifties.
The legendary batter is also on the verge of a historic milestone. He currently sits just 110 runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 6,976 ODI runs scored at home. With 85 international centuries to his name, his focus remains sharp as India begins its long-term preparation for the next global showpiece.
India's ODI squad for the West Indies series
The Indian squad for the series against the West Indies features a blend of experienced stars and rising talents. The roster includes:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul (Vice-captain)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Dhruv Jurel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Pradesh Krishna
- Gurnoor Brar
- Auqib Nabi
- Naman Dhir
Following the West Indies series, India's roadmap includes five ODIs in New Zealand, three against Sri Lanka, and a series against Zimbabwe in early 2027, all serving as stepping stones toward the 2027 World Cup glory Kohli so deeply desires.