Kohli's batting technique debate: James Anderson should give credit where it is due

“It is important to accept defeat as it is,” said India captain Virat Kohli after clinching the Test series against England.

For James Anderson, it would be wise to realise this, in public at least. The English medium-pacer’s comments about how Kohli’s technical deficiencies are hidden while batting on Indian pitches were avoidable, considering that he is the world’s best batsman right now, who played one of the finest Test innings in Mumbai, against hapless bowlers.

Anderson was asked about what had changed between Kohli of now and Kohli of 2014, when he had struggled to score against the swinging ball in English conditions. His answer appeared as an honest assessment to some, and a case of sour grapes to others.

“I’m not sure he’s changed. I just think any technical deficiencies he’s got aren’t in play out here. The wickets just take that out of the equation,” Anderson said.

How about giving the man some credit, Jimmy? How about praising his skills and mindset after an epic knock? How about acknowledging the fact that a batsman can learn and evolve?

There’s no denying that Kohli has transformed immensely — both as a player and as a person —over the last couple of years. The 28-year-old has scored runs in the most challenging conditions, against the most challenging teams: including Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and England. Opposition captains admit that Kohli has become more resilient as a batsman, and it’s showing in his frequent match-winning knocks. While Kohli hasn’t gone back to England since his torrid tour experience, that’s just a measured step on his part. With his level of experience in international cricket, Anderson should know that himself.

He wouldn’t have lost so many fans had he simply said: ‘Look, Kohli is undoubtedly playing some great cricket at the moment. But it will be interesting to see how he does when he comes to England again’.

It’s the same point said in a more dignified way: it doesn’t give a majority of Kohli’s run-scoring credit to the pitches, it gives the man his due, and it also puts across Anderson’s opinion quite as well as the statement he made.

As a matter of fact, England’s leading wicket-taker has failed to make any kind of impact with the ball in the ongoing series, in conditions that are vastly different to the seamer-friendly ones in England. Anderson’s remarks, thus, sounded more like a man who was frustrated than a man who was giving an honest opinion.