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'Changed The Face Of ...': Mitchell Johnson Hails Virat Kohli In His Column ‘The King & I’

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Mitchell Johnson lauded Virat Kohli [Source: @Rajiv1841, @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Mitchell Johnson lauded Virat Kohli [Source: @Rajiv1841, @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

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The cricketing world got a front-row seat to an electrifying face-off during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This series wasn’t just about bat vs ball—it was Virat Kohli, stepping up as India’s Test captain, going head-to-head with Australia’s fierce Mitchell Johnson. While India ultimately conceded a 2-0 series loss, Kohli left a lasting mark, both on the scorecard and on his Aussie counterparts, especially Johnson.

Mitchell Johnson Reflects on Virat Kohli’s Attitude That Transformed Indian Cricket

Johnson, looking back, credited Virat Kohli for showing India what a fierce, unflinching attitude looks like on the cricket field. In a recent column for The Sunday Times, aptly titled "The King & I," Johnson shared how Kohli’s attitude and performance during the series resulted in the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket.

Kohli’s captaincy debut in Adelaide was nothing short of a showstopper. With centuries in both innings, he nearly took India to victory, but Australia managed to scrape through with a 48-run win. This was Kohli's first taste of the big stage as captain, and he set the bar high. Johnson noted how Kohli’s spirit was unmissable from the start. He said:

“One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight!” Johnson shared. “That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point.”

It wasn’t just Kohli’s approach that impressed Mitchell Johnson, but how he took the entire team along, giving Indian cricket a new edge. 

"Kohli changed the face of Indian cricket, taking a new generation of players and showing them how to play tough cricket," he added.



The Boxing Day Test Drama

The 2014 Boxing Day Test brought the Kohli-Johnson rivalry to a boiling point. In one heated moment, Johnson, trying for a run-out, accidentally hit Kohli with his throw. Kohli, not one to back down, was visibly upset, and the tension between them hit a new high.

“I was legitimately trying to run him out, but he didn’t like it,” Johnson recalled.

Kohli didn’t hold back in the media later, admitting that he’d lost respect for Johnson, which Johnson didn’t take lightly. But Kohli had the last laugh that day, going on to score a career-best 169 in a powerful response.

Johnson admitted that despite his frustration, he couldn't help but admire Kohli’s batting.

 “I also remember the cover drives, the pull shots and the urgency of his running between wickets. One of the best players in the world playing me with so much time, I think I even said ‘good shot’ in my head a few times after being driven down the ground.”

Kohli’s Australian Homecoming

Meanwhile, coming to the present, and Kohli’s in Australia for another tour Down Under, though not with the same numbers he’s used to. His Test average is at an eight-year low, and his form has been dismal.

Johnson, however, believes that Australia is where Kohli’s fire could ignite again, where he’s “right at home.”

Johnson mused about what lies ahead for Kohli:

“I wonder if the situation will give him all the determination he needs or if it will all be too much for him. As a fan now, maybe I’d like to see him make one more Test ton in Australia. As his adversary from a decade ago, maybe not.”

Ultimately, Johnson just wants to see a series packed with the intensity and spirit that defines this India-Australia rivalry and he knows Kohli is the player to deliver that energy.