“Keen to play the 2027 World Cup”: Dinesh Karthik reveals Virat Kohli’s London training push

Saurav Goyal

“Keen to play the 2027 World Cup”: Dinesh Karthik reveals Virat Kohli’s London training push image

Virat Kohli continues to prove that his hunger for the game is still there. Even after stepping away from T20Is and Tests, the Indian batting icon seems to have one major goal left- the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Recently, his former teammate Dinesh Karthik opened up about Kohli’s intense training sessions in London and confirmed that the star batter is seriously working towards another big campaign in blue.

Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

While India prepares for the upcoming Australia ODIs in October 2025, Kohli has made it clear that he still wants to make his mark in the next global tournament.

What did Dinesh Karthik reveal about Kohli’s training plans?

Karthik revealed that Kohli is putting in regular practice sessions in London, training two to three times a week. 

“He is keen to play that World Cup, he was training in London - he was practicing 2 to 3 sessions in a week - that tells, the man is serious to play the World Cup,” said Karthik.

Kohli has been training privately in London, away from the usual media glare. Fans have spotted photos of him hitting the nets at local facilities and working on his fitness routine. 

Kohli, who retired from Tests earlier this year, has been focusing on his ODI rhythm and shot selection during practice. 

MORE: DC show interest in Samson as KKR to pursue move for Rahul

Since 2023, Kohli has scored over 1,500 ODI runs at an impressive average of above 60. Kohli remains India’s best chaser and a natural fit for any high-pressure game. There is no question- if Kohli is fit, he should be part of India’s 2027 campaign.

After India’s heartbreak in the 2023 World Cup final, where Kohli scored 765 runs and won Player of the Tournament, the hunger for redemption remains strong.

With Shubman Gill now leading India’s ODI side and young players stepping up, Kohli could play the role of the experienced anchor in 2027.

RELATED LINKS:

Saurav Goyal

Saurav Goyal is a Content Producer at the Sporting News with over two years of experience in covering cricket. An avid cricket fan for more than two decades, his passion for the game led him to writing. Since then, he’s been delivering the latest news and engaging content to keep cricket fans informed and entertained.