Anderson's comments were 'naive': Vaughan

A pair of former Test captains have weighed into Jimmy Anderson’s comments about India skipper Virat Kohli, with Michael Vaughan labelling the England fast-bowler “naïve”.

After Kohli peeled off his third double century of 2016 to flatten England in the fourth Test, Anderson questioned whether India's star batsman had solved the “technical deficiencies” that England had exploited during their 2014 home series.

It prompted India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to greet Anderson with a volley of angry words when the England No.11 arrived at the crease on the Mumbai Test’s final day.

Ex-England captain Vaughan suggested Anderson’s provocative remarks about Kohli were inexplicable, considering the veteran paceman’s experience dealing with the media throughout his nearly 14-year international career.

Quick Single: Kohli douses Ashwin-Anderson fire

“Jimmy came out last night and showed no experience with the Indian press,” Vaughan told the BBC on Monday.

“You know what you’re getting with the Indian press – they’ll make one small comment into a huge headline. 

“For him to say Virat’s technique’s not changed and it’s just the conditions here that suit his style of play – it’s so naïve.”

Former South Africa Test captain Graeme Smith also took issue with Anderson’s comments, asking whether he too only thrives in friendly home conditions. 

Before the current five-Test series, which India sealed after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, Kohli had averaged just 20.12 against England. 

Anderson dismissed the right-hander four times on India’s 2014 tour of England, with Kohli failing to pass 50 in any of the five Tests.

“I’m not sure he’s changed,” said Anderson, who has picked up four wickets at 53.50 in the current series.

“I just think any technical deficiencies he’s got aren’t in play out here. We had success against him in England but the pace of the pitches over here just take any flaws he has out of the equation. 

“There’s not that pace in the wicket to get the nicks, like we did against him in England with a bit more movement. Pitches like this suit him down to the ground. 

“He’s a very good player of spin and if you’re not bang on the money and don’t take your chances, he’ll punish you.”

Quick Single: Kohli praises India's 'sweetest' win

Kohli has been in devastating touch on his home turf against England, having pummelled 640 runs at 128 with the fifth Test in Chennai still to be played.

But the often fiery on-field character sought to downplay Ashwin’s heated reaction on Monday, insisting he’d already cleared things up with Anderson.

"For the first time I was trying to calm things down in the middle at a time when James Anderson is involved," a grinning Kohli said after the victory.

"Ashwin wasn't pleased with what (Anderson) said in the press and I didn't even know about it. He told me on the ground.

"So I didn't know what to make of it. I was laughing about it. Ashwin wasn't too impressed and he let him know without using any bad words, honestly," Kohli said.

"I think (Ashwin) told me he was pretty disappointed with what he said and it is important to accept defeat as it is. Later on, I told James these things happen and let's move on."

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.