England’s veteran pacer James Anderson has heaped praise on Virat Kohli, calling him “one of the greatest Test batters of all time” following the Indian star’s recent retirement announcement. Kohli shared the news via social media on May 12, marking the end of a storied red-ball career.
Anderson, who shared a fierce on-field rivalry with Kohli over the years, reflected on their battles with mutual respect. Kohli scored 305 runs at an average of 43.57 against Anderson in Tests and was dismissed by the English pacer seven times.
“Great players. There will be a new captain now with Rohit Sharma also retiring. Kohli—one of the greatest Test batters ever. Those are massive shoes to fill,” Anderson told NDTVSports. “But India has a deep talent pool. Just look at the IPL—players coming through are aggressive, fearless, and ready to take on Test cricket.”
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“India Will Be a Tough Challenge”
With England set to begin a five-match Test series against India starting June 20 in Leeds, Anderson acknowledged the uphill task ahead. The 42-year-old emphasized the importance of building momentum ahead of a crucial year that includes the Ashes.
“It’s a big year, especially with the Ashes on the horizon. But we can’t look too far ahead. In the past, we’ve been guilty of focusing on the Ashes 18 months out and losing sight of the challenges in front of us,” he said. “India will be a very tough opponent, even on our home turf. They’re a strong, competitive side.”
As England prepares for life after Anderson—who has also announced his upcoming retirement—the seasoned bowler’s words serve as both a tribute to Kohli’s legacy and a reminder of the formidable challenge India continues to pose.
