We Just Got To Keep Virat Kohli Quiet As Often As We Can, Asserts James Anderson

Senior England player James Anderson said his team has bowled very well against Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the ongoing Test series between India and England.

On Wednesday, Anderson laid the foundation for England in India’s batting collapse as he picked three wickets in the first hour of the play after England were asked to field as they lost the toss.

After getting the wickets of KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara in his first three overs, Anderson marched towards his nemesis Kohli and once again the England pacer was successful in getting the better of the Indian captain.

The England pacer induced a thick outside edge of the batsman with a full-length delivery, that was moving away, to dismiss Kohli for the seventh time in 23 Tests between them. Anderson joined Australian spinner, Nathan Lyon, in the list of bowlers who have got Kohli out on most occasions.

I think the way we have bowled very good to Virat Kohli throughout the series: James Anderson

Anderson said it was important for his team to keep the Indian skipper quiet as much as possible and called Kohli a fantastic player.

“I think the way we have bowled to him throughout the series has been very good. We just got to keep doing that and keep him quiet as often as we can,” Anderson said after the day’s play.

“I think it was special. We have had some great battles over the years. He is a fantastic player and someone you want to keep quiet as a team. Especially, in a five-match series, if he gets going he can be very disruptive,” he added.

After England suffered a 151-run loss at Lord’s, more than the defeat the limelight of the match was on the on-field heated moments that happened between Anderson and Indian players. The England stalwart mentioned that the team made effort to focus on their game and avoid the outside noise.

“We have made a conscious effort of trying to just focus on us, on what we do well and try and ignore everything else, the outside noise or wherever they might be going on, and just yet and make sure there’s a real focus on what we do well,” James Anderson stated.

“Yeah, I think there was a bit of chat about that. We were just making a point of trying to focus on what we do well,” he added.

Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns batted outstandingly: James Anderson

After England bowlers bowled brilliantly to outsmart India for 78 in the first innings, their openers Rory Burns (52*) and Haseeb Hameed (60*) dominated the rest of the day as England ended at 120/0 with a lead of 42 runs.

Anderson applauded both the openers and called their batting performance outstanding after the top-order was under the hammer for not contributing enough runs.

“In a performance like that, I think it doesn’t get much better and the way the two guys played the day with the bat was outstanding, and exactly what we’ve been talking about throughout this series,” he said hailing their opening duo’s effort,” James Anderson said.

India are currently leading the five-match Test series 1-0.

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