Veteran England pacer James Anderson recently announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 41. His final match was at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, where he played the first Test against the West Indies. To honor his retirement, Star Sports created a tribute that included a clip of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli expressing his admiration for Anderson.
In the clip, Kohli shared insights into his early cricketing days and his deep affection for Anderson, which began during an England tour. Kohli admitted that he used to emulate Anderson’s bowling action while he was at the cricket academy. “I told him that I used to copy his bowling action when I was in the cricket academy,” Kohli said. This revelation came during a conversation after a Test match in Southampton where Anderson was bowling.
Despite the fierce on-field rivalry between them, Kohli and Anderson share a mutual respect that transcends their competition. Kohli has faced Anderson 36 times in Test cricket, scoring 305 runs with 39 boundaries, while Anderson has managed to dismiss Kohli on seven occasions. Their professional encounters have highlighted their sportsmanship and the high regard they hold for each other.
Anderson’s career boasts an impressive 704 wickets, making him the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history. His achievements have solidified his reputation as one of the greatest pacers of all time, not just in his generation but in the history of the sport.
Reflecting on his career and battles with Kohli, Anderson recently shared his thoughts with Sky Sports. “I feel like you go so up and down. Some series you feel amazing and then the next one, you’re not quite on it. Playing against [Virat] Kohli in the early days, you feel like you could get him out every ball; now, you feel like you can’t get him out at all and feel so inferior,” Anderson remarked. This statement underscores the evolution of both players and the challenge Anderson faced in bowling to Kohli over the years.
The tribute to Anderson, featuring Kohli’s candid reflections, serves as a testament to the high regard in which Anderson is held by his peers. It highlights the respect and admiration that exists within the cricketing community, even among fierce competitors. As Anderson steps away from the international stage, his legacy as a formidable and respected cricketer remains firmly intact.
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