James Anderson: “He’s one of, if not the best player in the world right now”

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England pace maestro James Anderson has been in a back-and-forth battle with Virat Kohli throughout the ongoing five-Test series, but does he think the Indian skipper is the best player in the world right now?

Kohli has by far been India’s best performer even though they have already lost the series as they head into the fifth Test at The Oval trailing 3-1.

In fact, Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the series with 544 runs, which includes two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 68.

However, Kohli has yet to be dismissed by Anderson in the series, and while the veteran seamer is disappointed not to have claimed the wicket of the Indian captain, he admitted that Kohli has been the tourists’ best player and further cemented his case as the best batsman in the world.

“Well, not great for me – I haven’t got him out! He’s obviously their best player, he’s one of, if not the best player in the world right now,” Anderson told Sky Sports as quoted by Times Now News. “It’s a really exciting challenge for us seam bowlers, we’re in our home conditions and we’re trying to use them as best we can.

“If there is a bit of seam or swing movement, you feel like you’re in the game with him but he’s just not nicked them this series, we’ve put him down a few times which is frustrating. But you’ve got to give him credit, he’s a fantastic player.”

The fifth Test between England and India will get underway on Friday.