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Kohli, a flat-track bully: James Anderson

Last updated on: December 12, 2016 10:58 IST

Jimmy Anderson doesn't think the Indian skipper's batting feats are a big deal.

Virat Kohli and James Anderson exchange some words on Day 5 of the fourth Test in Mumbai on Monday

IMAGE: Virat Kohli and James Anderson exchange words on Day 5 of the 4th Test in Mumbai on Monday, December 12. Photograph: BCCI

England pacer James Anderson believes Virat Kohli is a flat-track bully.

In the fourth Test in Mumbai, which England lost by an innings and 36 runs, Kohli's 235 -- hailed by English cricketing greats and current commentators Ian Botham and Nasser Hussain -- helped India post 631 in its first innings.

It was Kohli's third double hundred of the year following his 200 against the West Indies in Antigua and 211 against New Zealand at Indore.

The three innings came on slow pitches that offered little assistance to seam bowlers, Anderson felt, who argued that Kohli would again struggle on India's next visit to England in 18 months' time.

Kohli averaged just 13.40 during India's Test series in England in 2014. Anderson dismissed him 4 times in 10 innings.

'We had success against Kohli in England, but the pace of these pitches takes any (batting) flaws out of the equation,' Anderson said on Sunday, as reported by The Times, London.

'He stays patient and waits. He plays spin very well. 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 added.

'There's not that pace in the pitch to get the nicks, like we did against him in England -- with a bit more movement,' Anderson said.

'When that's not there, he's very much suited to playing in these conditions. He's a very good player of spin -- and if you're not bang on the money and don't take your chances, he'll punish you.'

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