By Phil Blanche, PA
Will Jacks believes Virat Kohli’s influence on his career can help him propel England to T20 World Cup glory.
Jacks heads in to the third T20 game against Pakistan on Tuesday full of confidence after playing a key role in Saturday’s 23-run win at Edgbaston.
The Surrey batter smashed 37 from 23 balls in what ultimately proved a decisive partnership with captain Jos Buttler as England took a 1-0 lead in the rain-hit four-match series.
It was the latest example of Jacks’ power hitting that came to the fore in the Indian Premier League and so impressed Royal Challengers Bangalore team-mate Kohli.
“The big thing with the IPL is that every game is such an occasion, the crowd, the atmosphere,” Jacks said ahead of England’s clash with Pakistan at Cardiff, little more than a week from their World Cup opener against Scotland in Barbados.
“Every game you feel like you’ve got to step up and that’s similar to international cricket.
“Playing in a World Cup is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid. I’m really excited to do it.
“It’s getting closer now and we’re building in the right direction.”
Batting at the opposite end to India great Kohli has the potential to unsettle far more experienced players than Jacks.
The 25-year-old’s international experience, after all, is limited to only two Test matches, seven one-day internationals and 12 T20 appearances.
But Jacks grabbed the headlines last month by blasting an unbeaten century off just 41 balls – including 28 runs from one Rashid Khan over – as Bangalore chased down 200 to beat Gujarat Titans in a high-pressure situation.
Kohli later said he was happy to watch the carnage at the other end and play a supporting role to Jacks.
“He’s a very good role model,” said Jacks, who also bowls useful off-spin. “The way he approaches all the training and every aspect of the game off the field, his intensity, everything he does is a 100 per cent attention.”