Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir
Virat Kohli said he did not want things to “complicate” his place in the Indian team and made it clear that if he is constantly forced to prove his worth, then the environment is “not meant” for him.Speaking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast, Kohli said that he still enjoys playing cricket and remains interested in playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup, but only if it is clear from both sides.“I’m always ready because that’s my everyday life. You know, I work out, we eat well at home. It’s because I love life so much. It’s not just about playing cricket. So I’m there. I mean, this chat 27 (World Cup 2027) and all that… I’ve been asked so many times, ‘do you want to play 27?’,” he said.“I know the answer. Like, why would I leave my home, you know, take my things and say I don’t know what I want. Of course, if I play, I want to play cricket. I want to continue. Playing the World Cup for India is amazing. But like I said, value has to be two-sided,” he added.Kohli said his approach to the game remains simple and honest.“My view is very clear. If I can add value to the environment I am a part of and the environment feels I can add value, I will be seen. If I feel I need to prove my value and my value, I am not in that space,” Kohli said.The 37-year-old now only plays ODI cricket for India after retiring from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025. With fewer ODIs played, his appearances for India have been limited.Kohli is expected to play the next match in India’s ODI series against England from July 14 to July 19. India head coach Gautam Gambhir is yet to give a clear answer on the future of Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODI cricket.Kohli said he continues to fully prepare for the game.“I’m honest about my preparation, I’m honest about how I approach the game. I put my head down, I work hard. When I come to play, I work as hard if not harder than anybody else and I play the game the right way,” he said.He also talked about his commitment on the field.“I will do it because I will prepare accordingly. I am prepared to bowl 50 overs. When I perform like that, if I have to prove my value and worth, this place is not meant for me,” he said.Kohli also commemorated his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after almost two decades during the 2025-26 season. He played two matches for Delhi, scoring a century in one of them and becoming the fastest batsman to complete 16,000 List A runs.“I was clear in my mind that I am not going there to prove anything to anyone. I am going there to play because I love the game. So I played Vijay Hazare too. It was amazing.”“I thought I’ve played for so long, am I motivated? But the moment my intention changed to ‘I want to play because I love the game’, I just loved batting. I felt like a kid again. I was like, this is not about anybody, this is about me and the game,” he said.Kohli also said that he does not like the uncertainty of selection and role clarity.“The moment I feel like people are trying to make things difficult for me and be like ‘oh this and that’. Either be clear and honest and direct or be quiet and let me play. When you go into a workplace and people say we believe in your abilities and a week later they start questioning how you function, it’s like why?” he said.“You either tell me on day one that I’m not good enough or I’m not needed, but if you said I’m good enough and we don’t think otherwise, then shut up. If you start operating up and down for results, you can never have a consistent attitude,” he added.
