Legendary England pacer James Anderson revealed on Tuesday what he said to star Indian batter Shubman Gill during their conversation during the fifth and final Test between the two teams in Dharamsala.
On the third day of the match, England’s ageless pace wonder Anderson became the first pacer to reach 700 Test wickets.
One of his two victims in India’s first innings was Gill, who had scored a fine century to cap off what could be a breakthrough Test series after a run of low scores. Just before reaching his century, Gill spoke with the 41-year-old pacer.
When asked about his exchange with Anderson at the post-day press conference, Gill said, as quoted by Wisden, “I think it would be better for both of us to keep that chat in private.”
Now Anderson has revealed the truth. Anderson revealed on the BBC Tailenders Podcast, as reported by ESPNCricinfo, that he had taunted Gill about his overseas Test record.
“I asked him something like, ‘Do you get any runs outside India?’ and he said, ‘It’s time to retire. “Then two balls later, I got him out,” Anderson explained.
Gill has scored 556 runs at an average of 32.70 in 10 Tests away from home, including a century and two fifties. His highest score is 110. Gill’s record in India, however, is far superior, having scored 869 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 41.38, including three centuries and four fifties in 23 innings. His highest score is 128.
Gill had a strong series with the bat, finishing as the second-highest run-getter with 452 runs in nine innings at an average of 56.5, including two centuries and two fifties. His highest score was 110.
Anderson also reflected on his 700th Test wicket, saying it was nice to do it in the picturesque setting of Dharamsala with his father present. However, they would have fared better had they won the series.
He stated, however, that he thoroughly enjoyed the tour. He also stated that he does not play cricket for milestones and that winning gives him a “bigger buzz”.
“It was a nice moment, and it was nice to do it (take 700th wicket) on such a beautiful ground. My dad was here, so we had a drink, which was enjoyable. “He was more excited than I was,” Anderson explained.
“I get nothing out of that (about milestones and whether anyone will break his record). I get nothing out of what others say. That’s not why I play cricket.
I do not play cricket to achieve milestones. I want to win games. I enjoy playing for a team because that is when I get the most buzz.”
“That’s why I’m probably a little down right now because we lost 4-1 in this series. But I enjoyed the tour. I’ve been on tours to India before where little cracks appeared in the team, but that didn’t happen this time,” he said.
England would not play another Test match until the West Indies arrived in the UK in July, and Anderson would be only a few weeks away from turning 42.
Anderson, who has taken 10 wickets in four matches in India at an average of 33.50, believes he has enough fitness and form to keep going and is in “best shape”. He also emphasized the importance of hard work because his position on the team is not fixed.
“I am very excited for the summer. I want to make sure I play well and earn my spot on the team. I am not getting worse. I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve ever been in.
I’m happy with where my game is right now, and I still enjoy coming to the nets every day and trying to improve. My spot on the team is not guaranteed, so I will have to work hard to prove myself worthy of a spot in the summer,” he said.
