England legendary pacer James Anderson on Tuesday revealed his conversation with India batsman Shubman Gill during the fifth and final Test of either side in Dharamshala. On the third day of the tournament, England’s eternal pace wonder Anderson became the first ever pacer to reach 700 Test wickets. One of his two victims in India’s first innings was Gill, who hit a fine century to end what could have been a breakthrough Test series after a series of low-scoring highs. Just before Gill was about to reach his century, he exchanged some words with the 41-year-old pacer.
When asked about the incident at a press conference afterward, Wisden quoted Gill as saying in his exchange with Anderson, “I think it’s best for both of us to keep this conversation private.”
Now, Anderson is spilling the beans. ESPNCricinfo quoted Anderson’s conversation on the BBC Tailenders podcast as revealing that he mocked Gill’s overseas Test record.
“I said something to him like, ‘Have you ever run outside India?’ and he said, ‘It’s time to retire. And then two balls later, I got him out,” Anderson said.
In 10 away Tests, Gill scored 556 runs at an average of 32.70, with one century and two fifties. His best score is 110 points. But Gill’s record in India is much better, scoring 869 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 41.38, hitting three hundreds and four fifties in 23 innings. His best score is 128 points.
Gill had a stellar series with the bat, finishing second with 452 runs in nine innings at an average of 56.5 with two hundreds and two fifties. His best score is 110 points.
Anderson also reflected on his 700th Test wicket and said it felt good to have his father by his side at the picturesque ground in Dharamshala. But it would be better if they win the series. But he said he thoroughly enjoyed the trip. He also said he doesn’t play cricket to achieve milestones and that winning would give him a “bigger buzz”.
“It was a great moment and it was great to do it (take the 700th wicket) at a picturesque ground. My dad was here so we had a drink which was nice. He’s more excited than me. Excited,” Anderson said.
“If we had won the Test or the series, maybe I would have been more excited. It’s a long series and I don’t know how I’d feel.”
“I don’t get anything from it (about milestones and whether anyone will beat his record). I don’t get anything from what other people say. That’s not why I play cricket. I don’t play cricket to get milestones. I want to win games. I love playing for a team and that’s when I get the most attention.”
“That’s why I’m probably a little bit flat now because we lost the series 4-1. But I’m enjoying the tour. I’ve been to India before and there were some cracks starting to show in the squad there, That makes me happy.’ That didn’t happen this time,” he concluded.
England won’t play another Test match until the West Indies arrive in England in July, when Anderson is just weeks away from his 42nd birthday. Anderson, who has taken 10 wickets at an average of 33.50 in four games in India, feels he is fit and in good shape to move on and is in “top shape”. Since his position on the team is not fixed, he also values hard work.
“I’m really excited about the summer. I want to make sure I play well and earn my spot on the team. I’m not going to get any worse. I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve ever been. Where I like to be My game is up and I still enjoy showing up every day and trying to get better with the Nets. My spot on the team is not a given, so I have to work hard to prove that I deserve a spot in the summer,” He said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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