Picture Credit: Twitter
For Test cricket lovers, there are few better matchups in the game than watching Virat Kohli bat against James Anderson. While one is a world-class batter on top of his game, the other still seems to be going strong at age 39. The two share a bit of history against each other and a new chapter began in that rivalry on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match between India and England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. It was Jimmy Anderson- the ageless wonder- who stole the show this time around as he got Kohli out on the first ball.
Later in the day, while talking to the press, Anderson played down the rivalry and stated that it all comes down to individual strengths and doing what's best for the team. He added that one needs to keep the individual battles out in a team sport like cricket.
"I try not to focus too much on that (on his battle with Virat Kohli). I think it is important we as bowlers do what we do best in our strength. I was trying to swing the ball away from the two openers and get that edge. After that, I was trying to attack the stumps and bowl a tad straighter. You have to keep individual battles out of it," Anderson said in response to a query from ANI at the press conference.
However, he couldn't choose which among the two between Cheteshwar Pujara or Kohli was the better wicket.
“Yeah, it is unfair to pick one because they are both great batsmen. So to get them both out, it is great and I am delighted. I cannot pick one,” he said before revealing the reason behind his animated celebration after getting the wicket of Kohli.
"Some emotion there, celebration after getting him out. But yeah, it was such a big wicket, and to bowl the ball right where I wanted to and for him to nick it, the emotion came out. Getting the team back in the match and getting their best player out, that’s why the emotion came out," he said while also acknowledging what a fantastic player Rishabh Pant is and how he could take the game away from them.