James Anderson's Memorable Battles with Kohli and Tendulkar

James Anderson, the legendary England paceman, has had some memorable duels with India's star batters during his illustrious career. One of the most iconic battles was with Virat Kohli, who discovered a way to counter Anderson's swing bowling by taking guard outside the crease. This forced Anderson to adapt his tactics, leading to a riveting contest that captivated cricket fans worldwide.

In the 2018 Birmingham Test, Kohli played a magnificent century against Anderson, taking on the pacer and offering a couple of difficult chances that went begging. Anderson was visibly annoyed when asked about his strategy to counter Kohli's new approach, offering a unique job offer to the Indian star.

Despite England's 4-1 series victory, Anderson failed to dismiss Kohli even once. However, he eventually got his revenge in 2021, dismissing Kohli twice. Overall, Anderson has dismissed Kohli seven times in 25 Tests, but he has a better record against Sachin Tendulkar, dismissing the Little Master nine times in 14 games.

Anderson believes Tendulkar is the best batter he has ever bowled to, despite his greater success against Kohli. This is because Tendulkar never changed his game, playing late and with classical technique, even against Anderson's exceptional swing bowling.

One of the most memorable battles between Anderson and Tendulkar occurred at Eden Gardens in 2012. In a crucial match, Tendulkar batted brilliantly in the first two sessions, dealing with Anderson's swing with ease. However, in the third session, Anderson produced a late-swinging delivery that kissed the outside edge of Tendulkar's bat, leading to his dismissal. This moment turned the match and the series in England's favor.

Anderson's retirement marks the end of an era in English cricket. His duels with Kohli and Tendulkar will be remembered as some of the most captivating contests in the history of the game.

Tags: #JamesAnderson, #ViratKohli, #SachinTendulkar, #EnglandCricket, #IndiaCricket