Will Jacks discusses Virat Kohli's effect ahead of England's T20 World Cup quest

The Surrey hitter starred in the 2024 Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers. Bangalore.

Will Jacks believes that Virat Kohli's influence on his career can help him lead England to a T20 World Cup victory.

Jacks enters the third T20 match against Pakistan on Tuesday full of confidence after playing an important role in Saturday's 23-run victory at Edgbaston.

The Surrey batsman hammered 37 from 23 balls in a pivotal combination with captain Jos Buttler, giving England a 1-0 lead in the rain-hit four-match series.

It was the latest example of Jacks' power hitting that stood out in the Indian Premier League, impressing Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate 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 opposite India's Kohli has the potential to disturb far more seasoned players than Jacks.

The 25-year-old's international career is limited to two Test matches, seven one-day internationals, and 12 T20 games.

But Jacks made headlines last month by smashing an unbroken century off only 41 balls, including 28 runs from a Rashid Khan over, as Bangalore chased down 200 to defeat Gujarat Titans in a high-pressure situation.

Kohli later stated that he was content to watch the carnage from the other end and provide support 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. He’s done it for such a long time and I can appreciate that as a young guy who often doesn’t want to do the hard yards, but you see him doing it and want to copy that.”

“When we were batting together, he was coaching me through there. I learned some valuable things about chasing in that inning and pacing the game, which was really helpful. I was really proud of the way I stayed in the partnership and didn’t throw it away. I kind of proved to myself I can do it at number three and I’m just building my repertoire of things I can do.”