Virat Kohli-Mitchell Johnson Verbal Battle Spices up Day 3 at MCG
Virat Kohli was hit by a return throw from Mitchell Johnson and that triggered a war between the two players before the Indian vice-captain scored his ninth hundred as the tourists took control of the third Test vs Australia.
Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli's temperament was once again tested after the batsman was hit by a Mitchell Johnson return throw followed by the two players getting into a verbal duel on the third day of the ongoing third Test, here on Sunday. (Scorecard | Blog)
The drama began in the 83rd over of the Indian innings when Kohli was 16 short of his hundred. Kohli pushed a delivery back to Johnson, who immediately threw it back at the stumps, taking down the batsman inadvertently.
Johnson immediately apologised and checked on Kohli but the No.4 batsman was not amused and fired back with a barrage of verbal volleys. The incident, which happened in between overs, though did seem to have an adverse effect on Kohli who looked shaken and Johnson tried to cash in on that a couple of overs later. (Rahane Hammers Maiden Ton in Australia)
The left-arm pacer did induce an outside edge off the Indian's bat only to see Shane Watson drop one at first slip. Kohli was on 88. The stylish batsman went on to register his third century in the series, but for a moment it seemed that Australia had once again won the sledging war against the visitors.