"His record is absolutely phenomenal.." James Anderson hails Virat Kohli as 'greatest' white-ball finisher

James Anderson lavished massive praise on ‘finisher’ Virat Kohli.

Legendary England seamer James Anderson heaped praise on modern-day chase master Virat Kohli. Anderson said that the 35-year-old Kohli is one of the greatest-ever finishers in white-ball cricket.

Anderson shared an on-field rivalry with Virat Kohli in test cricket. The legendary seamer Anderson and right-handed batter Kohli have faced each other in six IND vs ENG test series (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022).

Overall, Kohli scored 305 runs in 710 balls against Anderson at a good average of 43.6. The great England pacer dismissed Kohli seven times in test cricket.

In ODIs, the former Indian captain Kohli scored 26 runs in 38 balls against Anderson at a poor average of 8.7. The England seamer dismissed Kohli thrice in ODIs.

Virat Kohli’s record is absolutely phenomenal while chasing: James Anderson

Kohli’s numbers when chasing are incredible. In ODIs, he averages 64 and 67 in T20Is in run-chases.

Recently, during a podcast with Tailenders, Anderson said that he hasn’t seen a better batsman while chasing than Kohli. The legendary seamer further added that Kohli’s chasing abilities are mainly because of his high self-belief.

“I do not know if there has been a better batter in the history of the game batting second and chasing down scores than Virat Kohli. 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,” Anderson said.

Can’t think of a better finisher and great white-ball player than Kohli: Anderson

The 42-year-old Anderson further said that Australia’s Michael Bevan was the best finisher in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But, he opined, Kohli is the greatest white-ball player and better finisher because of his match-winning knocks.

“I cannot say that. I was thinking more in terms of just chasing. [As for the best white-ball batter ever,] 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,” the 42-year-old added.

“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],” Anderson concluded.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.