James Anderson’s international career is littered with several epic duels career but his rivalry with Virat Kohli in Test cricket will stand the test of time. The two gifted cricketers came face to face for the first time in 2012 and crossed paths for the last time in 2021, and in between, they stitched tales of unforgettable battles.
Anderson brought curtains down on his career on Friday morning at Lord’s with England storming to an innings win over West Indies to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. He concluded his career with 704 wickets from 188 Tests – the most by any fast bowler in the format’s history.
And during his farewell speech, the legend didn’t forget to mention his great rival Kohli whom he bossed over in the early part of their exchanges before being so thoroughly dominated that he started feeling ‘inferior’.
“You go so up and down. Some series you feel amazing and some not quite on it and a batter gets the better of you,” Anderson said on Sky Sports. “Playing against Virat Kohli in the early days, you felt you could get him out every ball and then recently like you can’t get him out at all. You feel so inferior.”
During India’s tour of England in 2014, Kohli had a nightmare. He managed 134 runs during across the five Tests and was dismissed four times by Anderson.
Kohli though completed a remarkable turnaround during his next England tour, in 2018, when he amassed nearly 700 runs without giving away his wicket to Anderson.
India’s tour of England in 2021 turned out to be the last time these two would cross swords with Anderson getting out Kohli twice during the series.
Overall, Kohli fell to Anderson seven times during his Test career and scored 305 runs at an average of 43.57.
The 41-year-old Anderson enjoyed bowling against India as in 39 Tests, he picked up 149 wickets – his best haul against any opponents. He also played 39 Tests against Ashes rivals Australia and took 119 wickets in them.
