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What are the best cricket rivalries of your favorite cricketers?
It all began on July 17th, 2014.
During the 2nd test match of the India-England series in 2014, the English bowlers breathed out fire as they removed India's openers for low scores like 24 & 7 respectively. It was then that the young Virat Kohli joined Pujara at the middle, trying to redeem himself after his horrid show in the first test match.
Kohli looked solid as he amassed 25 runs off 34 balls with consecutive fours. He was all set for a big innings…
When of course, the 31-year old big man named James Anderson, came to bowl.
First ball of the 31st over
The ball flew into the safe hands of Matt Prior. Phew! Jimmy gets Kohli! Yet another disappointing run for Kohli as he departs for a mere 25. Jimmy on the other hand, gets his second fish!
In the third test too, Jimmy Anderson removed Kohli when he looked completely settled, standing tall at 39* (74). Jimmy yet again spoiled Kohli's party, as the birthday boy conquered the third test.
In the fourth test, Jimmy got Kohli for 2/2 times.
Courtesy Anderson's heroics, England scripted a historic series win of 3–1 against India, after getting an early setback in the 2nd test.
While it was the rise of Anderson, it was the fall of Kohli. Seeing his horrid numbers throughout the series, one could predict that it was probably the end of Kohli in world cricket.
4 years went by.
Again in 2018, India toured England for a five-match test series.
Well, I guess by such a long time Kohli must have bid farewell to world cricket courtesy his flop show. Right?
Not at all.
Jimmy threw Kohli to a pack of wolves.
But
Kohli came back leading the pack.
Kohli failed, Kohli learnt, Kohli rose back. He achieved immense success through the period of 2015–2016–2017 and now even led Team India.
Kohli's performance throughout the 2018 English tour was way ahead of just amazing. The best test batsman of that time left the English bowlers clueless.
Jimmy Anderson failed to get Kohli out even once in that series!
However, Jimmy had the last laugh as England yet again bossed India on their home soil, and took a comfortable series win of 4–1.
2021 again saw Anderson taking revenge from Kohli. Anderson hunted upon Kohli a number of times.
The two legends were so far rivals by play and sweet by nature. But this 2021 tour even saw Jimmy and Kohli getting engaged in verbal banters.
Jimmy got Kohli, but Kohli got England as India this time didn't let England enjoy yet another win on home soil, and butchered them 2–1 with the 5th test match getting cancelled.
This rivalry
Where the momentum swung like a pendulum
This rivalry
Where the two legends engaged in verbal banters and appreciated each other too
This rivalry
Where two of the greatest were involved
Came to an end in September, 2021.
Sure, fans hype the Kohli-Smith rivalry, Smith-Archer rivalry, a lot. But the Kohli-Jimmy rivalry will forever remain special for me, and all the others. It will be cherished throughout.
As the tale of the two living legends.