After Retirement James Anderson Reflects on Virat Kohli: From Easy Prey to Unstoppable Force

England won the opening Test match of the series between England and West Indies from July 10 to 12, 2024 by an innings and 114 runs, therefore gaining a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gus Atkinson won Player of the Match honours on the last day with his exceptional performance of 5 wickets for 61 runs in 14 overs and 7 wickets for 45 runs in the first inning. With Zak Crawley's 76 runs, Jayden Seales' 4 wickets, and Jamie Smith's 70 runs supporting their total triumph, England's supremacy was clear all through the game. The highlights of every day's performance in the match further underlined England's strong performance, therefore verifying their clear victory against West Indies.

Following his 188th and last test match for England against West Indies at Lords on July 12, 2024 in winning fashion as England dominantly won the test match by innings and 114 runs, James Anderson signed off from International Cricket. The whole Lords stood up in acclaim as Jimmy Anderson made one last stroll off the cricket ground.

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James Anderson made a huge statement about Virat Kohli after his farewell match at the Lords

After his last Test against the West Indies at Lord's on Friday, July 12, England pacer James Anderson thought back on his battle with Virat Kohli. He highlighted the erratic character of his remarkable international career using Kohli as an example. Closing his career with England's innings and 114-run triumph over the West Indies, the 41-year-old bowler

Since the 2010s, Anderson's and Kohli's rivalry has become defining in Test cricket. Anderson first dominated, dismissals Kohli five times between 2012 and 2014, averaging just 8.40 against him. But in the later half of their meetings, Kohli turned the tide; Anderson managed to dismiss him just twice since then, and Kohli's average against him shot to an amazing 131.50. Speaking on Sky Sports, James Anderson said: 

"You go so up and down. Some series you feel amazing and some not quite on it and a batter gets the better of you. Playing against Virat Kohli in the early days, you felt you could get him out every ball and then recently like you can’t get him out at all. You feel so inferior," said Anderson.

"I have never felt great at any stage. I know that sounds strange. I have always thought ‘how can I get better for the next series?’. That has helped me play for such a long time," he added.

In Tests, James Anderson has taken the wicket of Virat Kohli on seven occasions, resulting in Kohli having an average of 43.60 against him. Anderson exhibited even greater dominance in ODIs, dismissing Kohli on three occasions and limiting his average to less than nine.

James Anderson needed to take nine wickets in his last Test match in order to surpass Shane Warne's record of 708 wickets and become the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Although Anderson asserts that he has only taken four wickets, bringing his overall tally to 704, he still maintains the distinction of being England's leading wicket-taker by a significant margin. 

He will be renowned as one of the most exceptional Test players in the annals of the sport. The second Test match is scheduled to take place on July 18, 2024, in England.