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James Anderson's remark on Virat Kohli: Kapil Dev, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith slam England pacer

Anderson failed to pick wickets at Mohali and Mumbai Test, while Kohli has 640 runs from seven innings at an average of 128.

James Anderson's remark on Virat Kohli: Kapil Dev, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith slam England pacer

New Delhi: England fast bowler James Anderson's recent remark on India Test captain has invited criticisms from legends of the game, like Kapil Dev, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Graeme Smith.

After India's series winning innings and 36-run victory at Mumbai, Anderson said that the Indian pitches suit Kohli’s batting style.

He also went onto say that, the 28-year-old batsman has technical deficiencies which were not at display during the ongoing five-match Test series.

But the 34-year-old's comments have found no takers, with India's world cup winning captain Kapil Dev coming to Kohli's defence.

"Virat can very well play in all conditions. He is simply playing fabulous cricket. It is great to see an Indian play like this. I have never seen a cricketer like him," said Kapil.

Current Pakistan chief selector Inzamam was however more direct, when he said, “It is surprising to me that Anderson should question Kohli’s runs and ability because I haven’t seen him take too many wickets in India."

Does Anderson mean to say that if you get runs in England you get some sort of certificate that makes you a quality batsman? Don’t the English and Australian players struggle when they play in the sub-continent? Does that mean they are bad players or weak teams? To me it does not matter where you get runs because in Test matches runs are runs,” the former Pakistan skipper added.

Former South African captain Smith joined the two legends, and wrote on his Twitter handle "Is Jimmy Anderson Saying he can only bowl in English conditions?”

Anderson failed to pick wickets at Mohali and Mumbai Test, while Kohli has 640 runs from seven innings at an average of 128, which included a double hundred, a hundred and two fifties.

Anderson has managed five wickets, with best figures of 3/62. And he will miss the last match of the series.

"It is a bit of everything, ankle and shoulder. A bit of bowling soreness. We are trying to look after him," Cook was quoted as saying by BBC.

Anderson made a comeback in the Test squad for the second match of the ongoing series after the first Test ended in a draw at Rajkot.

Fifth and final match of the Test series will start tomorrow at Chennai.