The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will return to Africa for the first time in 24 years, with matches scheduled across 12 venues in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia .
For India, one of the biggest positives is Virat Kohli’s outstanding record on African pitches. The batting star has enjoyed considerable success at several of the venues that will host World Cup matches.
World Cup 2027 Venues
The tournament will be played at the following grounds:
- Newlands, Cape Town
- Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- SuperSport Park, Centurion
- Kingsmead, Durban
- St George’s Park, Gqeberha
- Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
- Boland Park, Paarl
- Buffalo Park, East London (KuGompo City)
- Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, Victoria Falls
- Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Kohli’s Overall Record at These Venues
Across the World Cup venues where he has already played, Virat Kohli has produced impressive numbers.
- Innings: 25
- Runs: 1,358
- Average: 71.47
- Centuries: 4
- Half-centuries: 9
- Player of the Match awards: 5
He has batted at eight of the twelve World Cup venues, while four grounds will be new to him if he plays there in 2027.
Virat Kohli’s Highest Score at Each Venue
| Venue | Best Score |
|---|---|
| Newlands, Cape Town | 160* |
| Wanderers, Johannesburg | 75 |
| SuperSport Park, Centurion | 129* |
| St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 87* |
| Kingsmead, Durban | 112 |
| Boland Park, Paarl | 51 |
| Harare Sports Club | 115 |
| Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | 0 |
| Buffalo Park, East London | Yet to play |
| Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein | Yet to play |
| Victoria Falls | Yet to play |
| Windhoek, Namibia | Yet to play |
Good Signs for Team India
South African conditions are generally known for pace and bounce, often favouring fast bowlers. However, Kohli has repeatedly shown his ability to adapt and score heavily in these conditions.
With centuries already registered at iconic venues like Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, and Harare, India will hope their batting mainstay can once again deliver when the 2027 World Cup gets underway.
While four of the tournament venues will be new to him, Kohli’s overall record in Africa suggests he could once again play a crucial role in India’s World Cup campaign.