Cricket World Cup: Easy to see

England’s Eoin Morgan (L) and India’s Virat Kohli (R) take part in a captains press conference ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in London on May 23, 2019. – The 2019 Cricket World Cup, being hosted in England and Wales, starts on May 30, 2019. Photo: ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP)

Cricket World Cup: Easy to see why England fast-tracked Archer – Kohli

India captain Virat Kohli says that the fast-tracking of Jofra Archer into the England setup makes perfect sense to him based on what he has seen of the allrounder.

Cricket World Cup: Easy to see

England’s Eoin Morgan (L) and India’s Virat Kohli (R) take part in a captains press conference ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in London on May 23, 2019. – The 2019 Cricket World Cup, being hosted in England and Wales, starts on May 30, 2019. Photo: ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP)

India skipper Virat Kohli says he is flattered by claims that Jofra Archer wants to get his wicket when England face his side at the Cricket World Cup.

Kohli has seen Archer in action in the Indian Premier League and believes he is a player who could make a huge impact at the World Cup.

Speaking on selection for the England World Cup squad earlier this week, Archer told Sky Sports: “I’d quite like to get Virat Kohli out because I wasn’t able to in the IPL.”

Kohli claimed to be unaware of the statement and says such things aren’t really on his mind as skipper of India.

“Did he say that? I had no idea – that’s news to me. It’s news to Morgs as well,” Kohli joked at the ICC’s captains day. “We don’t really focus on these things. We don’t really focus on whether an individual wants to get you out or whether you’re spoken of more or things like that.

“Our focus is on contributing to the team. I take a lot of pride in performing for the team, and making impact performances in every game. If Jofra said that, it’s a big compliment. Because he himself is a world-class bowler.”

Kohli said that England’s decision to fast track Archer into the international set up came as no surprise based on what he had seen of the Barbados born allrounder. Archer had not played an ODI when England named their preliminary squad but impressed in the early season outings against Ireland and Pakistan.

“The way he’s come about in the IPL the last couple of years I’ve seen him, there’s good reason why he was fast-tracked into playing for England in a tournament like the World Cup,” said Kohli.

“I think he’s probably going to be their X factor, because he holds a skillset that’s very different from anyone else. He can generate a lot of pace, which can be intimidating. You don’t really expect that because of his run-up.

“And the way he’s built, he’s a great athlete. He’s going to be a delight to watch in the World Cup. I personally would be watching his bowling as well – whatever I’ve seen of him, he’s been very, very impressive.”

England and India play their first matches of the Cricket World Cup 2019 against the Proteas. England and India will meet one month into the tournament with a 30 June date at Edgbaston.