'Always let legends decide when to retire' - Mohammad Kaif after 39-year-old James Anderson becomes third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket

England’s premier fast bowler James Anderson broke yet another record and has gone past Anil Kumble to be placed third in the all-time highest wicket-takers list of Test cricket. The right-ram pacer achieved the landmark by scalping the wicket of KL Rahul for 84 on day three of the first Test against India at Trent Bridge. As soon as he went past legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, fans and experts took to Twitter to congratulate this phenomenal feat achieved by Anderson at the age of 39.

His four wickets enabled India to not get a massive first-innings lead. Cricketer-turned-expert Mohammad Kaif lauded the efforts of Anderson and took to Twitter to congratulate the Swing King. Kaif also mentioned in his Tweet that how legends should decide when they want to call it quits, rather than pressurizing them.

Often in cricket, whenever a player reaches higher thirties the speculations start from within the team and media that the time has come for this player to announce retirement. But few cricketers such as Rangana Hearth, Younis Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni have gone to perform after turning 34. Anderson himself has taken more than 300 wickets after turning 30 years.

And hence, Kaif’s tweet was all about that which mentioned: “As a rule, always let legends decide when to retire… especially someone with a deadly late swing. #JimmyAnderson approaching 40 but has reached 621 and counting. Congrats on becoming the 3rd highest wicket-taker in test cricket” tweeted Kaif.

As a rule, always let legends decide when to retire… especially someone with a deadly late swing. #JimmyAnderson approaching 40 but has reached 621 & counting.. Congrats on becoming the 3rd highest wicket-taker in test cricket. pic.twitter.com/qEUpLbPi2I

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 7, 2021

India bowlers will look for early wickets on Day Four of the Test match

England will resume day four with all their 10 wickets remaining. They still trail India by 70 runs and will be looking to build partnerships to post a challenging target for the visitors in the last innings. Meanwhile, India bowlers will be keen to pick early wickets in the first hour of play and try not to let the England batters settle on Day four in Trent Bridge. Although there are no signs of pitch slowing down, things may get trickIer during the final session of play.

India bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah bowled well in the first innings and will be hoping to repeat the same dose during the second innings.