#INDvAUS: Mitchell Johnson makes a scathing attack on Virat Kohli, calls him ‘frustrated’ – The former Aussie pacer criticises the Indian captain in a blog for the same website that compared Kohli to animals a few days ago.
Mitchell Johnson (L) and Virat Kohli (Getty Images – File Photo)
The latest to add his two cents to the controversial India-Australia Test series is former Aussie fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson. After Ian Healy explained how he’s losing respect for Virat Kohli, it was the turn of the Indian captain’s old foe to elucidate his thoughts. In a blog for the same website that recently ran a poll in which it pitted Kohli with animals, Johnson wrote about how he thinks India’s star batsman is “frustrated”.
Australian captain Steve Smith’s “brain fade” moment, where he looked up to his dressing room for advice on a DRS call in the second Test, led to some serious acrimony between the two sides. Kohli suggested in the post-match media interaction in Bengaluru that the visitors were systematically indulging in unfair tactics. Though the Aussies vehemently denied this and the dispute has settled for now, there’s no doubt in the fact that the emotions will be running high when the two teams face off in third Test in Ranchi from March 16.
“I felt completely at home watching the action as Australia and India went toe-to-toe in the second Test because of one man: Virat Kohli.,” said Johnson in his blog for foxsports.com. “Virat was in the thick of everything. He was pumping up the crowd, giving every Australian player a send-off and generally being fired up. It reminded me very much of my playing days because, well, I had a few run-ins with Virat. To be honest, I think it was every time we played.”
Johnson believes Kohli’s lean patch with the bat is getting the better of him. “Virat was up to his old tricks as usual in Bengaluru, though. He’s obviously quite passionate, but I just think he’s frustrated because he hasn’t scored a run and he’s letting his emotions get the better of him. You could sense the vibe change halfway through the match and it coincided with India getting ahead in the game,” said the 35-year-old.
The left-arm pacer, who was himself known for his fiery attitude on the field, was critical of Kohli’s aggression while sending-off batsmen.
“Obviously whenever there’s a wicket the cameras go straight to Kohli to see his reaction – they know they’re going to get those kind of reactions from him,” said Johnson. “And they did! He was giving a send-off to just about every player, which you’ve got to be very careful with. It can happen sometimes, when you’re pumped up and you get a bit too fired up.”
