20 May 2025 : Virat Kohli announced his Test retirement last week, and tributes are continuing to pour in. The right-hander called time on his Test career, having played 123 Tests and scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. Throughout his 13-year-long career, Kohli played some memorable knocks, but it is fair to say that Australia brought out the best in the batter. Australia was also Kohli’s favourite hunting ground, as he scored seven Test tons Down Under.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recalled Kohli’s love affair and how his attitude stood out for him during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shastri, who shares a close bond with Kohli, spoke about the famous duel between Kohli and former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson during the Melbourne Test.
It was the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Kohli announced his arrival on the world stage in the longest format of the game. The 36-year-old smashed centuries for fun. In the 2014-15 series against Australia, Kohli averaged 86.50 across the four Tests.
Kohli was involved in a memorable face-off with Mitchell Johnson during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the Melbourne Test, the left-arm pacer attempted a run-out during his bowling stride. The throw ended up hitting Kohli, leaving the former India captain angry.
Kohli then went on to score 169 in the first innings and this knock was crucial in helping India draw the Melbourne Test.
“I can never forget his verbal exchange with Mitchell Johnson. He kept needling the Aussie during the lunch break,” Shastri wrote in a column for Sportstar.
Summary:
Ravi Shastri recounted how Virat Kohli persistently provoked Mitchell Johnson during the 2014-15 Melbourne Test, leading to a fierce staredown and Kohli’s impactful 169-run innings.