As India gears up for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, eyes will definitely be on the senior players, with Virat Kohli expected to remain a vital part of the Indian men's batting contingent. With Kohli having retired from Test cricket in early 2025, he will now be fully focused on the various white-ball formats and, more so, ODIs. With the Men's ODI World Cup being played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the Men in Blue will be concentrating on honing their squad, blooding younger players, and settling on a playing XI that can perform under pressure. Kohli's experience will be especially useful here in the meantime and transition period. 

India's ODI calendar between mid-2025 and early 2027 features a number of significant bilateral series, providing a combination of home and away tests. The ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) includes India playing a total of 27 ODIs prior to the World Cup. The games will be crucial in gauging bench strength, measuring form, and giving match practice against strong cricketing nations such as Australia, England, and New Zealand.

Kohli, presuming fitness and form, is likely to play in most of these series. His job will not only be to make runs but also to lead young players and offer stability in high-intensity games. India will go into each series with a razor-sharp eye on combinations, depth, and flexibility across conditions. This is the entire list of India's upcoming ODI series prior to the 2027 World Cup:

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India’s ODI Matches Before 2027 World Cup