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Former England pacer James Anderson has referred to Virat Kohli as ‘one of the best’ while chasing and closing the game. The former was speaking on Kohli’s skill in white-ball cricket. During an interaction with the Tailenders Podcast, the T20 World Cup 2010 winner said that there is no surprise that Kohli’s self-belief is so high.
"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," added Anderson.
Difficult to call Virat Kohli ‘The Greatest White-Ball Player’ though: James Anderson
The all-time second highest wicket-taker in Tests was asked whether Kohli is the greatest white-ball player ever. In reply, the former Lancashire player said that former Australia player Michael Bevan comes across his mind as the best white-ball player ever. "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," he said.
"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 player than him [Kohli]," he added. Anderson and Kohli had great battles in Test matches during their respective careers. Anderson took the wicket of Kohli four times during the 2014 series. However, in 2018, Anderson failed to pick the wicket of Kohli.
