Kohli calls it ‘the most challenging’ World Cup

Considering the format, the upcoming World Cup in England is set to be the ‘most challenging’ according to India skipper Virat Kohli. All ten teams will face each other once before the top four make the semifinals.

"[It's] certainly the most challenging World Cup, considering the format. Also, if you look at all the teams, they are really close," Kohli told the press, ahead of the team's departure for England on Tuesday, 21 May.

"Even someone like Afghanistan have made so much progress since 2015. Every game, we will have to play to the best of our potential."

The India skipper said that only the most consistent of teams could progress from the ten-team group. We don’t have any room for complacency, and that’s why it’s the World Cup. You have to arrive on the day match-ready. This is the challenge.”

India were beaten by Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in England and even though the match against their arch-rivals will produce a high-voltage affair, Kohli played down the clash.

"If we keep focusing individually on every team, we won’t be able to focus on our campaign," he said. "Preparations won’t be any different, we have to just focus on our quality and intensity, irrespective of the opposition."