IPL 7: Don't Want to Bowl to Glenn Maxwell, Says Kings XI Punjab Pacer Mitchell Johnson

With the Kings XI Punjab on a roll in the Indian Premier League 2014, pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson said he would rather sit in the dug-out than bowl at his explosive Australian teammate Glenn Maxwell.

The 32-year-old has had a decent outing so far with 10 scalps from nine games at a slightly high economy rate of eight runs per over. But the big fast bowler is not complaining as he does not have to bowl to Maxwell, who leads the batting charts with 474 runs this season. (Also read: Kings XI Punjab and their Big Four - Maxwell, Miller, Bailey & Sehwag)

"I wouldn't have liked to bowl to him in the current form that he is in. I would rather sit in the dug-out. It's incredible the manner he has been hitting in all parts of the ground," Johnson told PTI. "I remember during a (domestic) one day match at the MCG a couple of years back, he hit me for two huge sixes. I replied by hitting him on the body a couple of times." (Also read: Dhoni compares Maxwell with Tendulkar, Sehwag in talent)

The left-arm Australian speed ace said discarded India opener Virender Sehwag was a great guy to get along with and praised him for willing to help out the youngsters in the side during training sessions.

"When I joined Kings XI Punjab, I was very excited as I was looking forward to meeting Virender. He is a great guy to get along with. I have thoroughly enjoyed his company as he is incredibly funny. He is gelling well with the team and is also helping out the youngsters during training sessions. He has been communicating very well," Johnson said. (Read: Did not want to captain Kings XI, reveals Sehwag)

The veteran of 59 Tests, 136 ODIs and 30 T20 Internationals said that it was easier with George Bailey at the helm of affairs at Kings XI Punjab.

"Obviously, it's great to have George as the captain of Kings XI. When he just came in, he had a bit of a communication problem with the local players, purely due to the language barrier.

"But he has slowly got to know his players on an individual basis. He has communicated well with the senior players and has done a great job so far," he said.

Johnson insisted that he is using the "change-ups", considering the benign nature of the strips across the country.

"I have played over 100 ODIs and many Test matches. I played a tough ODI series in India last year. I know the importance of change-ups as the wickets are pretty flat over here. I had a good IPL last year (Mumbai Indians) in these conditions," Johnson said.