Mitchell Johnson's throw at Virat Kohli sparks controversy

Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson exchange words after the incident

Collecting the ball off a forward push, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson fired a throw straight back at Virat Kohli, who was batting on 84* with India on 283-3 in the third Test of the series, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – an incident that has sparked a controversy with social media divided on opinions about the fast bowler’s action.

It led to a heated exchange between the bowler and the batsman. Following the incident, Kohli looked a little lost, even surviving a dropped chance in the very next over of Johnson, before regaining his composure to go on and score a century, his 9th in Test cricket.

At the time of writing this article, India are on 358/3 in response to Australia’s first innings score of 530, with Kohli (123*) and Ajinkya Rahane (114) at the crease. Overnight batsmen Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara couldn’t add much to their scores today, getting out for 68 and 25 respectively.

Some of the Twitter reactions to the incident:

Have your say

Many are saying that Mitchell Johnson did something wrong. Ball came back at him quickly, he aimed at stumps, it was perfectly legit.

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) December 28, 2014

Virat gets a superb hundred but learns an important lesson along the way. Not to let emotions get the better of his batting.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 28, 2014

The umpires have to be pro-active. That was completely unacceptable from Mitch Johnson.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2014

Won't be surprised if teams around the world verbally take on Kohli more because he clearly gets a rush of blood......

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2014

Obstructing the Field doesn't come into it. If Johnson's throwing at the stumps, it doesn't matter where Kohli is. The throw is fine.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) December 28, 2014

Oh come on Kohli...... don't throw this away because Johnson's managed to piss you off. Make him bowl at you until tea tomorrow.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) December 28, 2014

The Law, if @bhogleharsha would read it, favors Johnson here. The batsman can't obstruct the throw.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) December 28, 2014