Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri recently revived one of the most famous moments in the history of Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he shared an untold story about the viral Mitchell Johnson vs Virat Kohli clash during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2014.
India’s 2014–15 tour of Australia is still remembered for Kohli’s stellar performance in the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, which Australia won 2–0, and his famous feud with Johnson. During that tour, ms dhoni Stepped down from captaincy and Kohli took command in the Sydney Test.
When Mitchell Johnson hit Virat Kohli and ignited one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries
Almost every Indian cricket fan knew how Mitchell Johnson got under Virat Kohli’s skin during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The former Australian fast bowler picked up the ball during the follow-through and then threw it hard towards the stumps. The ball hit the back of Virat Kohli who was ducking.
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This led to a heated argument between the two on the field. That moment made Kohli even more excited. Later he played a brilliant inning of 169 runs and helped India draw the match. But this is not just the story of the iconic Boxing Day Test between India and Australia.
Ravi Shastri revealed that Virat Kohli almost got into a scuffle with Mitchell Johnson
recently, Ravi Shastri Kohli appeared on a podcast for lifestyle brand One8, where the former coach revealed that he had to step in and shoo away an angry Virat to avoid a possible physical fight with Johnson in the MCG dressing room. And this was the only time he had to keep the former India captain away from fights during his successful tenure.
Ravi Shastri recalled on a podcast when asked if he ever had to stop Kohli from fighting: “Never…no, once, once. I’ll tell you about it. It was Melbourne, right. And he and Mitch were constantly trying, because the very first ball they played, they hit him on the head.
And he’s ready to start at lunchtime. Both of them going upstairs… As he enters the dressing room, he’s looking at Mitch like this. I had to hold her like this. Come here, come here, concentrate on your batting. I think about those days and sometimes it gives you goosebumps.”
India’s golden era in Test cricket under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri
During this time, Virat Kohli And Ravi Shastri formed a strong and successful captain-coach partnership for India in Test cricket. During his time, the Indian team became the No. 1 Test team in the world and held that position for five consecutive years from 2016 to 2021.
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India enjoyed great success in red-ball cricket during that period and dominated both domestic and foreign teams. The team also created history by defeating Australia in two consecutive Test series on Australian soil, which was seen as one of India’s greatest achievements in Test cricket.
When Virat Kohli became Australian audience’s favorite with an unforgettable show
Well, Kohli enjoyed a great Test series and completely dominated with the bat. The star batsman scored 692 runs at an impressive average of 86.50 and scored four brilliant centuries along with one half-century.
Kohli’s fearless batting and aggressive style made him one of the most favorite players of the spectators in Australia. However, Australia won that BGT series 2–0, while India drew two matches.
Took part in the ODI triangular series against India on this tour Australia and England, but they managed to win only one match, lost three games, and one match ended without a result, and they failed to qualify for the finals.
