IND Vs ENG: James Anderson misses bowling against Virat Kohli, says ‘It’s a shame…’

James Anderson played 25 Test matches against Virat Kohli and dismissed the Indian batsman seven times. Overall, Anderson defeated Kohli ten times in 37 matches across formats.

Virat Kohli last played for India in a Test match against South Africa.

New Delhi: The on-field rivalry between Virat Kohli and James Anderson has been one of the most intense player battles in the world of cricket over the years. But fans were denied the entertainment after Kohli pulled out of the ongoing Test series against England due to the birth of his son Akaay. Despite Kohli’s absence, India won the series after winning three consecutive matches. The fifth and final Test match starts on March 7 in Dharamsala.

Anderson, the oldest player in the visiting contingent at 41, said it was a shame that Kohli is not part of the series. He also said that it is a blessing in disguise for England as Kohli can take the game away from the opposition.

“You always want to play against the best players. And it was a shame that he (Kohli) was not part of the series. We’ve had some great battles over the years. But not just for me, I think as a team you want to play against the best in the world, and he certainly is,” Anderson told JioCinema.

Kohli is at the top when it comes to the best cricketers in the world. For Anderson, bowling to Kohli has been a challenge over the years, a struggle the right-arm England pacer has relished. “I think the English fans will be grateful that he is not playing because he is such a quality player.

“But from our point of view you want to test yourself, you want to go up against the best, and he’s been someone I’ve found very challenging to bowl against over the years, and it’s a shame he hasn’t played,” added the pacesetter.

The last time Kohli appeared for India in a Test match was against South Africa. He will now be seen directly in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) when he takes the field for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Meanwhile, Kohli is believed to be out of the country at the moment. He was caught on camera in London a few days ago with daughter Vamika. It is understood that Kohli and his family are all in Britain.