'No Respect For Me': Australian Pacer Mitchell Johnson Opens Up On Battles With Virat Kohli

The battles between legendary Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson and India's batting icon Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar series are some of the most iconic in the cricket world. The two stars have engaged in several heated battles and due to this have given some of the best performances in their career. One of the most memorable events from their battle is when the two stars got into a verbal spat after Johnson chucked a ball at Virat Kohli which hit him on the shoulder. Mitchell Johnson has recently opened up on his battles with Virat Kohli as one of India's greatest batter heads into another BGT tour. 

Mitchell Johnson On Battles With Virat Kohli 

Mitchell Johnson recently opened up on his battles with Virat Kohli and how the Australians tried to get Kohli off his run scoring mojo.  

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"Most of our differences stemmed from the Boxing Day Test in 2014, when a ball I threw hit him on the body. I was legitimately trying to run him out but he didn’t like what I did. He made some comments in the media that night about having no respect for me as a player, which annoyed me. The goal from our point of view was generally to get Kohli riled up as soon as he came out to bat and take his focus away from his skills. Get him annoyed and get him playing a big shot early," said Mitchell Johnson on Virat Kohli and his battles with the Indian star. 

‘One Of The Best Players In The World’- Mitchell Johnson On Kohli 

"In that Test match at the MCG we got him off guard early and had him playing at a ball he didn’t need to in frustration and unfortunately we dropped him on not many. He then focussed and harnessed his energy and piled on the runs – all 169 of them. When bowling to him, I can remember thinking we had to get him early or else we could be in trouble. If you didn’t get Kohli in the first 10 or so balls, he would often make you pay," he continued.  

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"I also remember the cover drives, the pull shots and the urgency of his running between wickets. One of the best players in the world playing me with so much time, I think I even said ‘good shot’ in my head a few times after being driven down the ground," Mitchell Johnson further added as he showered some praise on Virat Kohli.

The Indian batter is currently not in the best of forms and would be looking to get back to his fiery self once the Border-Gavaskar Series begins.