'I think they are world-class players' - Tom Curran looks to take on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in IPL 2020

England pacer Tom Curran recently bowled well against South Africa, the country of his birth, in a T20I series and he is one the Three Lions will certainly look up to in the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

The 24-year-old Curran, who hails from the cricketing family with his father Kevin having played for Zimbabwe and brother Sam for England, is now looking forward to playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting late March.

Tom, who has played in one IPL season so far (2018) for Kolkata Knight Riders, has been bought by Rajasthan Royals this time for Rs 1 crore. Tom had a less memorable debut in the Indian Premier League with only 28 runs and six wickets from five matches. This year, he is more than prepared and is looking to take on the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the mega tournament.

The bowling all-rounder, who has played two Tests, 20 ODIs and 18 T20Is to take 50 international wickets, said while he is a fan the way the ace batting duo execute their skills with the willow, he will also be focusing on his own skills when pitted against the two batters. India captain Kohli captains Royal Challengers Bangalore while Rohit heads defending champions Mumbai Indians.

“I think they are world-class players and it is about as a bowler looking to executing my plans and looking at my skills than theirs. It will be a great challenge and one that I looking forward to,” India TV cited agencies quoting Tom as saying. He has scored 873 runs and taken 149 wickets in 120 T20s.

Tom Curran not looking too far ahead

When asked whether he will use the IPL as the platform to prepare for the T20 World Cup, Tom said: “Every game of cricket I play I feel will have an influence – however big or small – on my selection for the World T20 in Australia, but I am not really looking to think so far ahead and want to take one game at a time. Just trying to get better every time I go out to the middle.”

Tom recently dismissed South Africa’s Bjorn Fortuin in the final ball of the over to give England a two-run win a T20I to level the series and when asked about that moment, he said it was all about backing his own skills in a game which is dominated by batsmen.

Curran will get to share the dressing room with his England mates Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler during the IPL and is looking forward to gaining the experience.

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