The battle between Virat Kohli and James Anderson in Test cricket is world-famous. However, it has now all but come to an end with Virat Kohli pulling out from the entire 5-Test series ongoing in India and Anderson very unlikely to play until the summer of 2025 when India will next tour England.
It was a great battle that the fans witnessed between the duo over the past decade. In Test cricket, Virat Kohli averages 43 against James Anderson and has been dismissed by the England pacer 7 times. Six out of those 7 dismissals have come in England.
This battle also included a tussle between R Ashwin and James Anderson in the 2016 series in India.
The context is that Kohli had a terrible series in England in 2014 when he was dismissed four times by James Anderson. However, the Indian superstar rectified the flaws in his batting and rocked back to form. When England arrived in India in 2016, Kohli recorded scores of 40, 49*, 167, 81, 62, and 235, and there were only two other low scores. Kohli finished this series with 655 runs at an average of 109 as India defeated England 4-0 in the 5-Test series.
After Kohli’s 235 at the Wankhede, Anderson stated in the press conference that he didn’t see any change in Kohli’s technique and that the Indian batter is only good at his home conditions.
“I am not sure if he’s changed any sort of technical deficiencies he’s got. The wicket’s just like that, not that pace to nick him like we did in England. So when there’s no movement or pace, he’s very much suited to playing in these conditions,” James Anderson said.
The next day, when Anderson was walking out to bat, R Ashwin walked to him and gave him a mouthful. Ashwin attacked Anderson for a while before Kohli chimed in. The umpires separated them all.
After the game, Kohli spoke with the broadcasters to reveal what the conversation was about and why R Ashwin was enraged at the England pacer for his remarks on Kohli.
Watch: R Ashwin attacked James Anderson for his comment on Virat Kohli
James Anderson mocked Kohli that there is no change in his technique after 2014 when he scored 235 in Mumbai Test 2016
Next Day in the morning Ash Anna took the stand for his captain and gave a befitting reply to Anderson
One of the best moments of that series#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/PuOh2SM4Gv
— KohliSexual (@KohliSexual05) February 9, 2024
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