James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, recently spoke about the ongoing Test series between India and England. With the series poised for a thrilling finish, Anderson reflected on the challenges faced by England and acknowledged the brilliance of India’s bowling attack.
A Missed Duel: Anderson on Kohli’s Absence
Virat Kohli’s decision to prioritize the birth of his second child meant fans were robbed of witnessing another chapter in the intense rivalry between him and Anderson. Anderson admitted to Jio Cinema, “You always want to play against the best players. And it’s a shame that he’s not been a part of the series. We have had some great battles over the years.”
While acknowledging that Kohli’s absence might be a relief for England fans considering his past dominance, Anderson emphasised his own desire to face the best. “I guess English fans will be thankful he’s not playing because he’s such a quality player. But from our point of view, you want to test yourself, you want to come up against the best,” he said.
Praising Bumrah and India’s Pace Attack Prowess
With Kohli out of the picture, the responsibility of leading the Indian batting order fell on young shoulders. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed alongside established names like Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel. Despite the initial setback in the first Test, India came roaring back, winning the next three Tests consecutively to take a commanding lead in the series.
Anderson reserved special praise for India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the fiery Jasprit Bumrah. “With someone of his quality, you expect that standard from him,” Anderson said on Jio Cinema, commending Bumrah’s mastery of reverse swing and his overall bowling prowess. “He’s got good pace and is very accurate, very consistent.”
Anderson went on to acknowledge the strength of India’s entire pace attack, mentioning the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Ishant Sharma. He even revealed his admiration for former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan, stating, “Zaheer Khan was someone I used to watch a lot to try and learn from. How he used the reverse swing, how he covered the ball when he ran into bowl, that’s something I tried to sort of develop on the back of playing against him quite a few times here.”
The highly anticipated fifth and final Test of the series kicks off on March 7th in Dharamsala. With India leading the series 3-1, England will be looking to avoid a series defeat. Anderson’s comments showcase the respect he holds for the Indian team, particularly their bowling attack. The final Test promises to be a battle for supremacy, and all eyes will be on how both teams approach this crucial encounter.
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