Virat came back an incredibly different player in 2018: James Anderson on battles with Kohli | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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Virat came back an incredibly different player in 2018: James Anderson on battles with Kohli

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Byhindustantimes.com
Aug 30, 2020 05:31 PM IST

Asked what changes he saw in Virat Kohli’s batting in 2018, James Anderson said, “He left the ball really well in 2018. The first time he came over (in 2014), when I was bowling out-swingers he might chase it early on and that brought the edge and the slips into play.

There is no doubt that Virat Kohli and James Anderson are currently one of the batsmen and bowlers going around in world cricket. Naturally, when they come up against each other, the anticipation rises and the quality of cricket reaches the ultimate level. If 2014 belonged to Anderson, where the England spearhead got the Indian captain out four times, 2018 had Kohli written all over it when the right-hander slammed two centuries and did not get out to Anderson during the entire series.

James Anderson of England and India captain Virat Kohli(Getty Images)
James Anderson of England and India captain Virat Kohli(Getty Images)

Anderson, who recently became the highest Test wicket taker among pacers with 600 scalps during the home series against Pakistan, and Kohli have had some intriguing battles over the years.

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“It’s always tough bowling at batsmen of that quality. It will be a tough battle but that’s something I do enjoy. You want to get the best players out,” Anderson told the Test Match Special podcast.

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Recalling his success against Kohli during India’s tour to England in 2014, where the Indian captain could score just 134 runs in his 10 innings, Anderson said Kohli was vulnerable outside the off stump.

“I had some success against him in 2014 and then he came back a completely different player in 2018 and was incredible,” the 38-year-old Anderson, who is currently in the fourth place among all-time highest Test wicket-takers with 600 scalps to his name, said.

Kohli came back to England an altogether different batsman in 2018 as he finished the Test series as the top run-scorer with an impressive 593-run tally with two centuries and three fifties to his name.

Asked what changes he saw in Kohli’s batting in 2018, Anderson said, “He left the ball really well in 2018. The first time he came over (in 2014), when I was bowling out-swingers he might chase it early on and that brought the edge and the slips into play.

“He left it a lot better and he was a lot more patient (in 2018). He waited for you to bowl at him and then he’s very strong off his legs so he could score freely,” said the star England bowler who has played 156 Tests since 2003.

Asked about the techniques he would use on continental pitches, he said, “We have had our success. We tried to roll fingers down the side of the ball, just try to make it grip on the dry surface. “Having skills like that really helps. We enjoyed bowling (in India).”

(With PTI inputs)

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