England’s star fast bowler James Anderson recently made a surprising statement. He said that Virat Kohli is tougher to bowl than Sachin Tendulkar. This comment quickly grabbed attention because Anderson is one of the few bowlers who has played against both Indian legends. His statement has now started a fresh debate among cricket fans and experts.
What Did Anderson Say?
During a media talk ahead of an India-England Test series, Anderson was asked to name the toughest batter he has faced among the modern-day greats — Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. He chose Kohli. But he went further and said that Kohli is even more difficult to bowl than Sachin Tendulkar, who is considered one of the greatest of all time.
Anderson explained that Kohli’s intensity, hunger to score runs, and ability to perform under pressure make him a nightmare for bowlers. “He always looks to dominate. His presence at the crease keeps you under pressure all the time,” Anderson added.
Why Is Kohli So Difficult To Bowl To?
According to Anderson, Kohli is not just technically strong, but mentally tough too. He pointed out that bowling to Kohli requires extra planning. The Indian batter is quick to read bowlers and change his game. He can play both spin and fast bowling with ease, even in difficult foreign conditions.
Anderson recalled how Kohli struggled in England in 2014 but came back strongly in 2018. In that series, Kohli scored a lot of runs and showed how much he had improved. That kind of bounce-back shows his hunger and smart approach.
Another thing that makes Kohli difficult is his aggressive mindset. Unlike Tendulkar, who would often wait and build his innings slowly, Kohli tries to take control early. This forces bowlers to change their plans quickly.
How Is Tendulkar Different?
Sachin Tendulkar is still considered the gold standard in cricket. He played for over 24 years and scored more than 34,000 international runs, including 100 centuries. He played in an era without DRS, on faster pitches, and often faced very strong bowling attacks.
Tendulkar was known for his calmness, timing, and perfect technique. He rarely showed emotions and let his bat do the talking. Many fans believe comparing him with anyone is unfair because of the different eras he played in.
Social Media Reacts
As soon as Anderson’s comments came out, fans began sharing their views online. Some agreed with him and praised Kohli’s fighting spirit. Others said Sachin’s greatness can’t be compared. On Twitter and Instagram, fans posted stats, videos, and personal memories to prove their point.
One user wrote, “Kohli is king, no doubt. But Sachin played without helmets against fast bowlers. That’s a different level of bravery.”
What Makes Kohli Special Today
Kohli is one of the best players of the modern era. He has over 26,000 runs across formats and has scored more than 80 centuries (as of 2025). What makes him special is not just the runs, but how he scores them. He is very fit, focused, and never gives up under pressure.
He also brought a new attitude to Indian cricket — one that is aggressive, energetic, and fearless. Under his captaincy, India won its first Test series in Australia and became a top Test side. In limited-overs cricket, Kohli is known as the “chase master” because of his ability to win matches under pressure.
Experts Are Divided
Cricket experts have different opinions. Former England captain Michael Vaughan supported Anderson. He said, “Kohli has the fire. He’s mentally the toughest.” But others believe Sachin is still the greatest.
India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour said, “Both are greats. I’ve seen Sachin’s elegance and Kohli’s aggression. We are lucky to have had both.”
Two Legends, One Game
It’s natural for fans and players to compare greats. But we must remember — Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli belong to different times. One played with quiet class, the other with bold fire. One broke every record when cricket was still growing, and the other raised the standards in the modern age.
James Anderson’s view is personal. As a bowler who faced both, he’s allowed to have a favorite. But for Indian cricket fans, both Sachin and Virat are priceless treasures. There is no need to pick one over the other. After all, cricket is richer because of both.
