ENG vs IND: James Anderson rates recent contest with Virat Kohli his best ever

The recent England-India Test series was a treat for cricket fans. The pendulum swung both ways and eventually it was India that were in the lead before the final Test was called off due to COVID-19 concerns. India drew first blood before England bounced back to level the series. The visitors then took an unassailable lead by winning the fourth Test.

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While there were many intriguing contests in the matches, the battle between Virat Kohli and James Anderson was worth watching. Kohli had kept Anderson at bay when he last visited the country. However, this time around, the veteran seamer was all over the Indian skipper. Talking about the battle, Anderson rated it as his best with Kohli to date.

"This summer was probably my favourite contest with Virat. We’ve had a few good battles over the years, both in England and India, but this year has certainly my favourite,” Anderson told Fox Cricket’s Road to the Ashes podcast.

“I got him out a few times but also he got some runs as well, and we had a battle on the field where there was definitely mutual respect. It was in a nice manner.

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Tempers flared between players of both teams throughout the series. Kohli and Anderson also had a go at each other. The veteran seamer however played down the verbal exchanges and said it was well spirit and players had no grudges for their counterparts. “Obviously, we were going against each other, but it was in a well-spirited way. So I really enjoyed that,” he added.

Anderson will next be seen against Australia in the Ashes. Taking about the marquee series, Anderson said he has set his sight on Australia’s big fish, Steve Smith.

"As a bowler you always look at the best player, and for me over the last three, four or five years, Steve Smith's been Australia's best player," he said.

"He's been the one they rely on for their volume of runs, obviously supported by guys around him like David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne recently. But he's been their go-to in the last few years, so he'll be the one that we will be keen to get out early,” he added.