Cricket World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli relishing ‘world class’ Jofra Archer battle in renewal of IPL rivalry

India captain Virat Kohli revealed he is relishing the chance to face “world class” Jofra Archer when his side play England in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Archer, who was named in England’s World Cup squad after impressing on his international debut during England’s 4-0 series win against Pakistan, is well-known in India and ripped through batting line-ups while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, but has never been able to add Kohli to his impressive collection of wickets and is determined to quickly change that this summer.

“I’d quite like to get Virat Kohli out because I wasn’t able to in the IPL,” Archer told Sky Sports on Wednesday.

Kohli’s side are the team that is most likely to stand in England’s way of winning the World Cup on home soil and the popular captain is wary of the strength of Eoin Morgan’s side, particularly their latest addition in Archer.

“He is a world-class bowler,” said Kohli. “The way that he has gone about in the IPL for the last couple of years that I have seen him and playing around the world means there is good reason why England have fast-tracked him to play in the World Cup.

“He has the X-Factor and bowls a skill set that is very different from everyone. He has a lot of pace and is a great athlete. The England team will be excited, what I’ve seen is very impressive.

“We don’t focus on these things,” Kohli added of Archer’s ambition to take his wicket. “We don’t focus on whatever people want to get you out.

“Our focus is to contribute to the team in whatever ways possible and making impacts.”

Morgan was quick to play down any suggestion that the Indian captain had attempted to pile the pressure on the 24-year-old.

“He’s come in and performed exactly as he has been around the world,” said the England captain. “He’s good in all three parts of the 50-over game and plays a part in all three areas. He’s exciting.

“It’s a huge opportunity, he’s very young, very ambitious and confident. He wants to play. It’s extremely exciting that he’s at the start of his international career and it happens to be at the start of a World Cup and Ashes year.”

Kohli is, in the eyes of many, the best batsman in the world, but concedes that England are the better side and favourites to win their first ODI World Cup.

“England are strong in their conditions and are the most-strong side in this tournament,” he said. “I see this as one of the most competitive World Cups.”

During a press conference with all 10 World Cup captains, Kohli was separated from Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed by a gap between sofas and quickly played down questions about India-Pakistan relations.

The sporting rivalry took a turn when former players and politicians told India to boycott their game against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Sunday 16 June in protest at the Kashmir attack, where at least 40 paramilitaries died.

“The players see things different to the fans,” he said. “As soon as you step onto the field it’s professional,” before adding that his opinion on the rivalry “doesn’t matter”.