Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson have had a long-standing rivalry and it looks like it hasn’t ended even after the latter retired from international cricket.
Also read: India vs Australia World T20 2016 Highlights: Virat Kohli does it again
Earlier today, at the press conference ahead of the India vs Australia clash at the World T20, Kohli had said that he relishes pressure situations. The match, scheduled for Sunday at Mohali, is a virtual quarter-final with the winner set to qualify for the semi-finals.
When asked if there will be pressure on him and the Indian side tomorrow, the Indian LOI vice-captain said: “For me stepping into the cricket field is an opportunity, not a pressure situation. I look at it as a challenge that I need to overcome.”
Johnson, who took the wicket of Kohli in last year’s World Cup semi-final, took the opportunity to take a dig at the Indian superstar. The 34-year-old mentioned that Kohli went missing during that match under a pressure situation.
Kohli and Johnson were at loggerheads during India’s tour to Australia in 2014-15. The rivalry peaked when the Australian fast bowler had attempted to run Kohli out off his own bowling, but ended up hitting the Indian batsman.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain hadn't taken the blow lightly and had said: “I was really annoyed with him hitting me with the ball, and I told him that's not on. I respect quite a few of them (Australian players), but someone who doesn't respect me I have no reason to respect him (Johnson).”
Kohli had hit a century in that innings but failed to get the better of Johnson a few months later when the two came up against each other in the World Cup semi-final at Sydney. The Indian number 3 had struggled to get going and was out for just 1 (13) after getting bounced out by Johnson.
As expected, Indian fans didn’t take Johnson’s tweet lightly and he was on the receiving end of a lot of flak on the social media website.
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