ENG vs IND 2021: Getting Virat Kohli out early was unusual – James Anderson

England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson has admitted that getting the big wicket of Indian captain Virat Kohli early was unusual.

In fact, Anderson could not dismiss Kohli even once in the 2018 series. The England experienced fast bowler had bowled 270 balls in which Kohli had scored 114 runs but he couldn’t crack the code of going past the Indian skipper.

However, the lead fast bowler was able to get Kohli for a golden duck in the first innings of the first Test match. Anderson bowled a fifth stump line and Kohli was looking to defend but the right-hander got an outside edge which was easily taken by Jos Buttler.

Anderson was delighted after dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli on consecutive deliveries. In fact, Anderson had troubled Kohli on the 2014 tour as he had dismissed him on four occasions.

James Anderson said, “I feel like I’ve challenged Virat in that area before. He either played or missed or left it. He’s always been good enough to sort of get through and today it was just one of those days where he nicked it. Getting Kohli out that early was quite unusual.”

Anderson was all smiles after getting the big scalp of the Indian captain. The veteran fast bowler added that he was able to execute his plans to perfection against Kohli and was delighted after taking two crucial wickets on the second day.

“He’s such a big wicket. To bowl the ball exactly where I wanted it to and for him to nick it as well. It was just an outpouring of emotions to get the team back into the game. Getting their best player out is something that doesn’t happen all that often.”

“To be honest it’s not really something that we thought about too much, particularly to him. What we try to do as a group is trying to challenge that fourth stump area, the defence as much as possible. Obviously to get a couple of quick ones like that is really important, especially with Virat being such an influential player for them. Always good to get him early,” Anderson concluded.

Meanwhile, India were 125-4 before rain forced early stumps. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are going to hold the key as the visitors still trail by 58 runs in the first innings.