CWC 2019: Moeen Ali keen to get rid of Virat Kohli in England’s must-win game against India

Moeen recently played under the leadership of Kohli during the IPL 2019 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Moeen Ali | Getty

Ahead of his team’s high-voltage encounter against India, England off-spinner Moeen Ali has said he will turn up in the match with the intention to get rid of opposition skipper Virat Kohli.

Moeen, who played under the leadership of Kohli during the recently held Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore, also paid rich tributes to the Indian captain, whom he has known since the U-19 days.

“Virat knows he’s there to score runs for India, while I’m there to get him out (or score some myself). It means a lot to get a player like him out but you can be still be friends trying to do it. I grew up playing against friends and cousins in the park and it was some of the most competitive cricket I have played. The key here is respect,” Ali wrote in a blog post for The Guardian.

“We have known each other since our under-19 days but over the past couple of years, at Royal Challengers Bangalore, we have become good friends. I don’t want to pump his tyres up too much before a big game but he is a motivated, driven and dedicated cricketer,” he added.

Despite facing the situation of must-win game to reach the semis, Moeen reckons that the pressure will on be Indian players rather than their English counterpart during their clash at Edgbaston on Sunday (June 30).

“The pressure of being the home side shouldn’t be a factor. Our next opponent, India, are a good reminder of this because we don’t have to deal with nearly the same amount of expectation as they do. They are superstars back home. Win and they are showered with praise, lose and they are on the receiving end of harsh criticism. And they aren’t able to lead everyday lives when they’re not playing because of the attention they receive,” he remarked.

England failed to chase the targets of 233 and 286 against Sri Lanka and Australia in their last two matches and the tournament hosts are now in danger of missing out on the semi-finals. Eoin Morgan and company will have to win at least one, maybe both, of their final two games against India and New Zealand if they are to reach the last-four stage.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 29 Jun, 2019

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