In a historic moment, England’s pace maestro James Anderson, at the age of 41 years and 187 days, etched his name in cricket annals as the oldest pace bowler to grace an Indian Test match. This milestone occurred during the second Test against India at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Anderson’s feat shattered a longstanding record existing in Test cricket for 72 years, previously held by the legendary Indian cricketer Lala Amarnath. Amarnath had been the oldest pacer to play a Test in India since 1952, achieving this distinction at the age of 41 years and 92 days during his final Test against Pakistan at Eden Gardens. (‘It’s Best To Ask…,’ Rahul Dravid Answers Question About Virat Kohli’s Availability For India vs England 3rd Test)
The exclusive list of seasoned pacers included names like Ray Lindwall, Shute Banerjee, and Ghulam Guard, who left an enduring legacy before the cricketing landscape transformed in 1961. Anderson now stands as the fifth oldest player to participate in a Test in India, with Zimbabwe’s John Traicos holding the record at 45 years and 304 days in 1993. (WTC Points Table 2023-25: Team India Get Big Jump In Rankings, England Take 8th Spot After IND vs ENG 2nd Test)
This is James Anderson at 42 pic.twitter.com/GSniOr73bm
Shekhar Dutt (@DuttShekhar) February 4, 2024
Beyond age-defying records, Anderson boasts another remarkable achievement: the title of the highest wicket-taker among visiting bowlers on Indian soil. Across three distinct eras of Indian cricket, Anderson’s deliveries have proven to be the nemesis of stalwarts, securing 35 wickets in 14 Test matches.
During the era of Sachin Tendulkar’s formidable willow, Anderson dismissed the Little Master nine times. Transitioning into the Virat Kohli era, the English speedster claimed the prized wicket of the Indian captain seven times. Now, in the era of emerging talent, Anderson’s precision has troubled the youthful Shubman Gill, securing his wicket for the fifth time in their cricketing encounters.
