If you are Virat Kohli, you are bound to strike fear into the opposition dressing room. Their top bowlers would think twice before locking horns with you, the young and inexperienced ones may even want to go on a hiding. But the Indian captain may not encounter the same in England. England’s youngest fast bowler – Sam Curran – has thrown up a challenge to Kohli by saying that he cannot wait to have a crack at one of the world’s batsmen.
Sam Curran, the younger brother of a more experienced Tom Curran, is a part of the England T20I squad that will take on India in a three-match T20I series starting Tuesday at Old Trafford.
"You want to play against these big names and test yourself, find out where you need to improve,” Curran told ESPNCricinfo.
Curran, who made his Test and ODI debut in a space of three weeks, in all probability will make his T20I debut against India in 24 hours’ time. The left-arm seaming all-rounder doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to square off against Kohli, particularly after being deprived of the chance of sharing the dressing room in with the Indian captain in June.
"I was pretty excited when he was meant to be my team-mate at Surrey and I was expecting to be laughing at the other county bowlers," Curran said. "Now if I get the chance it'll be my chance to get taken down! It'll be fun.
Kohli was supposed to turn up for Surrey for the entire month of June before the England tour but a shoulder injury ruled him out.
“All the Surrey boys were gutted he didn't come because we were expecting some big crowds and learning the way he trains, apparently he's a freak in the gym, so it would have been special to work with him."
England’s youngest wicket taker in ODIs made no attempts to hide his respect for Kohli.
"Bowling at Kohli is probably like what other teams think bowling at England at the moment," he said. "They are special, particularly on these wickets," Curran added.