ENG vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli-James Anderson Rivalry Awesome To Watch: Jos Buttler
Credits: Getty

Jos Buttler, on Saturday, said that the on-field rivalry between James Anderson and Virat Kohli is fascinating not only for the fans but also for the players.

The battle between Anderson and Kohli was one of the biggest talking points in the buildup to the series.

The last time Kohli had visited England, Anderson had blown away the current India skipper. Kohli had endured a torrid time in England, scoring only 134 runs from ten innings, as India lost the series 3-1. He scored 1, 8, 25, 0, 39, 28, 0, 7, 6 and 20 in the five Tests and finished the series with an average of 13.40.

Anderson had made current India skipper his bunny, dismissing him four times in six innings.

However, Kohli has certainly come out on top in the second round of battle. He started the series with a splendid knock of 149 and has not looked back since then. So far, the 29-year old has amassed 593 runs in 9 innings without being dismissed even once by Anderson.

ENG vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli-James Anderson Rivalry Awesome To Watch: Jos Buttler
Rivalry between Virat Kohli and James Anderson has been great to watch: Jos Buttler (Credits: BCCI)

But the stats in this series does not do justice to the intriguing battle between the two. While Kohli has definitely managed to not give his wicket to Anderson, the India skipper has been troubled a lot by the England pace spearhead. Anderson managed to beat Kohli’s outside on several occasions but was let down by fielders on some occasions and luck on other occasions.

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And now Jos Buttler has given an insight on how the players feel to see Kohli and Anderson battling it out on the field.

“Virat Kohli is one of the best player in the world if not the best at the minute and Jimmy Anderson is England’s greatest ever bowler. So as a match up for fans and for players like us, it is awesome to watch. I think the two of them are immensely competitive. Jimmy has been particularly unlucky, he has created a lot of chances and did get real close and it has been great to watch,” Buttler said at the end of play on day two.

ENG vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli-James Anderson Rivalry Awesome To Watch: Jos Buttler
Credits: Getty

Earlier, while speaking to Sky Cricket after the fourth Test about the riveting contest, Anderson said:

“Well, not great for me – I haven’t got him out! He’s obviously their best player, he’s one of, if not the best player in the world right now. It’s a really exciting challenge for us seam bowlers, we’re in our home conditions and we’re trying to use them as best we can.”

Meanwhile, England have taken firm grip on the ongoing game. At stumps on day two, India were 174 for 6, still trailing England’s first innings total by 158 runs.

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