Legendary fast bowler James Anderson, who recently retired from international cricket named Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli as the greatest white-ball batter. Anderson who has been the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket has played a lot against Kohli. Virat is hailed by many as one of the greatest players to play this sport and Anderson believes that there hasn't been a greater white-ball player or finisher than the former Indian captain.
In Tests, Kohli and Anderson have faced each other in 36 innings. Virat has scored 305 runs at an average of 43.57 against the pacer while getting out seven times. During India's 2014 visit in England, Kohli was seen struggling against Anderson. The pacer dismissed him four times. Having been stung by the unfortunate visit, Kohli returned in 2018 furiously and amassed 593 runs in five Tests at a 59.30 average.
Anderson on Kohli
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"I do not know if there is been a better batter in the history of the game batting second and chasing down scores than Virat Kohli,” Anderson said. “His record at chasing is absolutely phenomenal. The number of hundreds he has scored in the second innings, chasing down scores is ridiculous. It is no surprise that when he gets in that situation, with his mentality, it is just like it is meant to be. His self-belief is so high," said Anderson on the Tailenders podcast.
When asked further if he thought Kohli was the best white-ball batsman, Anderson mentioned Australian Michael Bevan, another ODI legend who was famous for finishing games while batting in the lower middle order.
"I cannot say that. I was thinking more in terms of just chasing. Michael Bevan from Australia comes to my mind, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s – he was just phenomenal coming in at number six and doing that job. Kohli batting at number 3 gets those hundreds while Bevan was renowned for getting his 50s, 60s and being at the end, while Kohli gets the big score, to get his teams over the line. I honestly can’t think of a better finisher and greater white-ball players than him (Kohli)," he added.
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