James Anderson calling it a day on his Test career might be a bad news for the English fans, and some more across the world, but perhaps the best news for the Indian team. On Friday, when a news report claimed that coach Brendon McCullum has asked Anderson to consider retirement, Indian fans would have already harboured hopes of a series win in England. After all, the national side is long due for a series win there, since Rahul Dravid’s men did it in 2007.
James Anderson, The Wrecker-in-Chief vs India
Let’s not even talk about James Anderson in India, or in Asia, no point. He was a good bowler in alien conditions, but his prowess lied in home, and let’s stick to it. He troubled all teams and batsmen in home conditions, but keeping India in mind, he was devastating. Overall, in his career, he has played 39 Tests vs India and bagged 149 wickets at an average of 25. His strike-rate is 55.8, and economy 2.73.
If we just talk about his stats in England vs India — he has played 22 matches with teams of different eras, and picked up 104 wickets. The effect he’s had on England victories against India on home soil, is immense.
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James Anderson vs Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, & Pujara
Now, if you have call someone Anderson’s bunny, it has to be Cheteshwar Pujara. All the talks of his solid defence are thwarted when the veteran comes on to bowl against him. Pujara has been dismissed a record 12 times by the bowler. The next on the list is Sachin Tendulkar, who has been dismissed nine time by him.
Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli aren’t far off in the list. The duo have been dismissed eight and seven times, respectively by Anderson. And there’s just about every legendary Indian batsman part of the embarrassing list. Shubman Gill (6), Rahul Dravid (5), Virender Sehwag (5)..and the list just goes on.
India vs England in June 2025
As per the ICC FTP, India is scheduled to tour England in June 2025, where they will play five Tests — at Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley, and Old Trafford. Our team had nearly beaten the English in the last series in 2021, but James Anderson proved to be the difference.
In the first innings he bagged five wickets, as India was dismissed for 416. In the second he bagged one. But what as crucial is, his wicket of Ravindra Jadeja (104), in the first innings, that stopped India from scoring 500. India lost that match in rescheduled match at Manchester in 2022, or else story would have been different.
Now, in all likelihood, by the time the next series comes, the swing magician won’t be around anymore, and the Indian batsmen will be able to score more freely, paving the way for a series win.
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