England's fast-bowling legend James Anderson has revealed his favourite cricketer from each major cricket-playing nation.

Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024 after playing his final Test against West Indies at Lord's.

England’s fast-bowling legend James Anderson has revealed his favourite cricketer from each major cricket-playing nation, and his choices have sparked an interesting discussion among fans. The legendary pacer named some of the biggest stars in international cricket, including Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Anderson made his selections during a conversation with TNT Sports, where he was asked to identify his favourite player from different countries. Interestingly, the former England bowler overlooked several legendary names, including Sachin Tendulkar, while choosing his preferred Indian cricketer.

James Anderson names Virat Kohli as his favourite Indian cricketer

When it came to India, Anderson picked Virat over several legendary players who have represented the country.

The choice is hardly surprising considering the number of memorable battles the two shared on the cricket field. Anderson and Kohli faced each other numerous times, particularly in Test cricket, where the England pacer often tested the Indian batter with his swing and accuracy.

Their rivalry attracted considerable attention during India’s 2014 tour of England. Kohli endured a difficult series, scoring just 134 runs across 10 innings, with Anderson dismissing him four times.

However, Kohli gradually improved against the England great. Across their Test encounters, Anderson dismissed the former India captain seven times, but Kohli maintained an impressive average of 43.57 against him.

Choosing Kohli over Tendulkar makes Anderson’s selection particularly interesting, given the Indian batting legend’s extraordinary international career.

Anderson’s favourite players from other countries

Anderson also selected some iconic names from other cricket-playing nations. His choices included legendary players as well as contemporaries with whom he shared the international stage.

The selection of Shane Warne from Australia was particularly noteworthy. The legendary leg-spinner was one of the most influential bowlers in cricket history and inspired generations of cricketers.

For England, Anderson went with Joe Root, his former teammate and one of the country’s greatest Test batters. Root’s consistency and ability to score runs in challenging conditions have made him a standout performer across formats.

Anderson selected Babar Azam from Pakistan, while former New Zealand captain Tim Southee earned his choice from the Black Caps.

For South Africa, he picked AB de Villiers, whose extraordinary range of shots made him one of the most entertaining batters of his generation. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya completed the list.

Jimmy Anderson names his favourite cricketer from each country 👀 pic.twitter.com/L9mavEd97T

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 11, 2026

Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024 after playing his final Test against West Indies at Lord’s. He finished his career as England’s highest Test wicket-taker, claiming 704 wickets in 188 matches at an average of 26.45.

His international career spanned more than two decades, during which he became one of the finest fast bowlers the game has witnessed.