Melbourne [Australia], November 17 – Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson opened up about his storied rivalry with Indian star batter Virat Kohli, praising Kohli’s transformative impact on Indian cricket while expressing hope to witness one final Test century from the talisman during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
Kohli, 36, heads to Australia amid a lean patch in Test cricket, with just two centuries in 34 matches since 2020. This year, across all formats, he has scored 488 runs in 19 matches, averaging a modest 20.33. In the 2023 home Test season, Kohli managed just 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. For the first time in a decade, Kohli slipped out of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Top-20 Rankings.
A Game-Changer for Indian Cricket
In his column for The West Australian, Johnson highlighted Kohli’s unique aggression and leadership qualities that reshaped Indian cricket.
“When Virat Kohli first came on the scene, I remember hearing about him before I saw him. Many were saying he was the next Sachin Tendulkar. While Sachin can never be replaced, Kohli brought something different – an aggressive attitude rarely seen in Indian players at the time,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson emphasized how Kohli’s approach gave India a combative edge.
“Kohli made it part of his game to give back as good as he got. He demanded excellence from teammates, particularly during training. His attitude pushed India to play with confidence and competitiveness, even in challenging conditions.”
On-Field Rivalry and Mutual Respect
Johnson reminisced about his on-field battles with Kohli, recalling their fiery encounters during the 2014-15 Australia tour.
“I had a well-publicised personal rivalry with Kohli. We played the game in a similar way – taking it on and not backing down. While I enjoyed the challenge, there were moments of frustration. Getting him out felt rewarding, but he always came back harder,” he said.
The rivalry ignited during the 2014 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where Johnson accidentally hit Kohli with a throw. Kohli responded with a defiant 169-run knock.
“In that Test, we rattled him early, but he refocused and piled on the runs. Once he got past 10 balls, he was nearly impossible to stop,” Johnson added.
Kohli’s Legacy in Australia
Johnson praised Kohli’s stellar record in Australia, where he has scored 2,042 Test runs at an average of 54.08, with six centuries in 13 matches – a figure higher than his career average of 47.83.
“Few batsmen can boast of averaging higher in Australia than their career average. Kohli’s performances here have always been remarkable,” Johnson said.
However, Johnson also acknowledged Kohli’s current struggles with form.
“This tour could be his last in Australia. The pressure will be immense, but that could also give him the determination he needs. As a fan, I’d love to see him score one more ton here. As an adversary, maybe not,” Johnson quipped.
Looking Ahead to the Series
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a fierce contest as India aims to bounce back from their 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Schedule:
- First Test: Perth (November 22-26)
- Second Test (Day-Night): Adelaide Oval (December 6-10)
- Third Test: The Gabba, Brisbane (December 14-18)
- Boxing Day Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30)
- Fifth Test: Sydney Cricket Ground (January 3-7)
