India have only eight confirmed bilateral one-day internationals before next year’s tournament in southern Africa, and the biggest stretches of nothing sit between them. For Kohli, who now plays no other international format, match fitness has to come from somewhere else. The answer is a mix of Vijay Hazare Trophy games, IPL cricket and a deliberate plan for the long break that follows January. The dates, his recent output and the sensible options all point the same way: plan early.
Form Has Not Been the Problem
Kohli gave up T20Is in June 2024, then Tests in May 2025, so the 50-over game is now his only international stage. He played three ODIs in 2024 and made 58 runs at 19.33, a thin year by his standards. Fewer matches meant fewer chances to find rhythm. Then 2025 brought 651 runs from 13 matches at 65.10, with a strike rate of 96.16.
This year has been quicker. By 7 November, he had 633 runs from 11 games at 63.30 and a strike rate of 120.34. He reached the 15,000-run mark in ODIs during September, scoring an unbeaten 139 against West Indies, then scored 74 from 51 balls at Auckland on 4 November. Wellington on 7 November gave just 7.
The Calendar in Plain Numbers
Rain wiped out the third ODI at Hamilton on 10 November without a ball bowled, so India hold a 2-0 lead in a five-game series. Eight bilateral matches remain across three series, and the Asia Cup in mid-2027 still has no fixtures. Each series is short, so gaps decide how much practice he gets.
Series | Opponent | Matches | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
India in New Zealand (remaining) | New Zealand | 2 of 5 | 13 and 15 Nov 2026 |
India v Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | 3 | 13, 16, 19 Dec 2026 |
India v Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe | 3 | 3, 6, 9 Jan 2027 |
2027 Asia Cup (50-over) | TBD | TBD | Jun to Jul 2027 |
The spacing is uneven. India finish in New Zealand on 15 November and do not play again until Sri Lanka arrive on 13 December, a 28-day pause. After 9 January, nothing is confirmed. India’s tournament opener, versus Australia at Cape Town, dated 7 October 2027, sits 271 days beyond that point.
Virat Kohli ODIs left before 2027 World Cup
Eight games is below his 2025 tally of 13, and every one falls on or before 9 January. That leaves close to nine months of the build-up with no confirmed 50-over fixture. A 50-over Asia Cup is pencilled in for mid-2027 and might help, but nobody has set its schedule.
Other cricket will not fill the hole. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy runs from 21 January until 3 March, and Kohli no longer plays Tests. The IPL remains his main source of competitive overs, although it is a different format with different demands. Nets help with timing but not with pressure.
Vijay Hazare Games Could Fill Gaps
December is when the 2026-27 edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy starts, and it is the obvious place to log 50-over innings. A run of long List A innings would keep his pacing and fitness at match level. Contracted players are expected to feature in domestic cricket when free of national duty, and compliance may feed into World Cup selection, though no official has confirmed that.
Kohli is expected to turn out for Delhi. The DDCA president, Rohan Jaitley, has said his availability depends on how his international workload is managed. That caveat matters, because the December window may overlap with the Sri Lanka series.
A Plan Captain and Player Share
Back in October 2025, ODI captain Shubman Gill was asked if Kohli and Rohit Sharma would matter before the tournament, and he answered with a flat yes. Gill and KL Rahul look set to leave the touring group for Test duty, and Shreyas Iyer is expected to lead the final pair. The December and January internationals are Kohli’s only guaranteed matches before spring.
Slotting Vijay Hazare games around those dates comes first, and a practice schedule for the long gap after January comes second. The captain and Kohli, with the coaching staff, will have to settle that plan jointly. The count of Virat Kohli ODIs left before the 2027 World Cup is small enough that every game needs a purpose.
Can domestic cricket really replace regular ODIs for Kohli, or should he trust the IPL and the nets? Drop your view in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many bilateral ODIs does India have left before the tournament?
Eight bilateral ODIs are confirmed from here. The split is a pair in New Zealand, a trio versus Sri Lanka, and a trio versus Zimbabwe, all by 9 January 2027.
Will Kohli be in India’s squad for the 2027 tournament?
Nothing is confirmed yet. He is in the current ODI squad, and captain Shubman Gill has publicly backed his place in the long-term plan for the next global event.
On which dates is the next 50-over World Cup staged?
It starts on 2 October and ends on 21 November 2027. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia share hosting duties, and India open in Cape Town versus Australia on 7 October.
What is Kohli’s career ODI batting average?
It stood at 58.72 on 21 January 2026. His average in 2026 alone is higher, at 63.30, driven by 633 runs from 11 matches before the Wellington game.
Is Kohli playing the remaining New Zealand ODIs?
Yes, he is part of the touring party. Tauranga hosts the final two games on 13 and 15 November, with India already 2-0 ahead after the abandonment at Hamilton.