India, June 16 -- Sachin Tendulkar, 9. Virat Kohli, 7. That's the number of times James Anderson has dismissed two of India's greatest in Tests. How many bowlers can you name that have bowled to both Tendulkar and Kohli, let alone dominate them? There's only one. Ander-freaking-son. The former England pacer had multiple battles with Tendulkar and Kohli, of course, during different stages of his career. In fact, more than Tendulkar, his face-offs against Kohli made engaging headlines in the 2010s. 15 Test matches across eight years. That's how much history Kohli and Anderson shared.

Recalling his battles against Kohli and Tendulkar, when asked who is the most difficult batter to bowl to, Anderson picked Virat. Everyone remembers Kohli's m...