In a revealing statement that adds a new dimension to the classic India vs England cricket rivalry, legendary English pacer James Anderson has admitted that Virat Kohli, not Sachin Tendulkar, was the tougher opponent to bowl to during his career. The veteran fast bowler, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, reflected on his 21-year-long journey and his fierce duels with Indian batting greats.
Anderson Enjoyed Bowling to Both Legends
Anderson, who made his Test debut in 2003, said he had the privilege of bowling to both Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, two of the finest batsmen of their generations. Speaking about his experience, he said:
“I really enjoyed bowling to both Sachin and Kohli. They were different kinds of challenges, and each brought out something new in me as a bowler.”
The Numbers: 9 Times vs Tendulkar, 7 Times vs Kohli
Over the years, Anderson managed to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar nine times in Test cricket, a remarkable feat considering the stature of the Indian maestro. Against Virat Kohli, he was successful seven times, but the context and difficulty level, Anderson explained, made the Kohli battles more intense.
“Against Kohli, I had some success early on, especially during India’s 2014 tour of England. His weakness outside the off-stump was well-known, and I exploited that. But by the time the 2018 series came around, he had completely transformed that part of his game. It was like bowling to a different player altogether,” Anderson recalled.
Kohli Took the Challenge to the Next Level
Anderson praised Kohli’s ability to evolve and improve his technique over time. He said Kohli’s mental toughness and adaptability made him a truly world-class batter.
“Kohli took his game to an entirely different level. It wasn’t just me — every bowler in the world found it difficult to bowl to him. He had that fierce mindset and focus which made things extremely challenging,” Anderson said.
Sachin Was Consistent, Kohli Showed Evolution
When asked to compare the two Indian greats, Anderson emphasized the different nature of their contests.
“With Sachin, there was never really a major change in dominance. He was always consistent and classical. But with Kohli, there was a visible shift in dominance between the series. Initially, I had the edge, but he worked hard and came back stronger,” he added.
Kohli and Anderson Will Miss the Upcoming IND-ENG Series
Interestingly, neither Kohli nor Anderson will be part of the upcoming Test series between India and England. Kohli recently retired from the longest format of the game, while Anderson played his farewell Test this past season.
Their absence will certainly be felt as two of the fiercest competitors in the modern cricketing era step aside, leaving behind a legacy of memorable battles and mutual respect.
