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"You Don’t Talk": Burns Recalls Controversial Virat Kohli Memory From Australia Debut

Aakash Saini

Joe Burns and Virat Kohli [Source: @Cric_records45, @ImTanujSingh/x]Joe Burns and Virat Kohli [Source: @Cric_records45, @ImTanujSingh/x]

Virat Kohli’s unyielding competitiveness and fiery presence on the field have often left a lasting impression on opponents, with even the most fleeting encounters becoming unforgettable stories. One such cricketer, former Australia batter Joe Burns, recently reflected on his first brush with Kohli’s intensity during his debut Test series from the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy ‘Down Under’.

Recalling his time from playing at the MCG in December 2014, Burns said that he attempted to rile up a well-set Kohli, only to receive a response that left him quiet for the “next four days”.

Burns Praises Virat Kohli, Says He Is Not Someone To “Mess With”

Joe Burns made his Australia Test debut back in December 2014 during a BGT Test against India at the MCG. The series also coincided with Virat Kohli making his leadership debut for India in Tests during the final red-ball tour of MS Dhoni.

While speaking with CricTracker for an exclusive interview, Burns recalled the time when he attempted to rile up Virat Kohli at the MCG with the help of fellow close-in fielders Shane Watson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Burns said:

“I’m fairly certain Virat scored 100 that day. There was a little bit of chirp going on. Not sledging, just obviously we got Haddin behind the stumps and Shane Watson at first slip. Nathan Lyon was bowling, so I’m in close. I think it’d been four hours. I hadn’t said a word. I think I said one line. I said to him, ‘Virat, you got to play some shots.’”

Joe Burns, a 24-year-old and a debutant at the time, added that Virat Kohli responded back by stopping bowler Nathan Lyon, before ushering a few words of his own. Burns claimed that Kohli’s response, coupled with his scorching boundary off the very next delivery left him “embarrassed”. He added:

“He stopped the bowler, stopped Nathan Lyon, turned to me and said, ‘You don’t talk, rookie.’ Next ball he faced up, smacked it through covers. It was very embarrassing for me. I didn’t say a word the next four days after that. That showed me that Virat was not someone to mess with. As a 24-year-old debutant at bat-pad, I wasn’t really the person or in the place to be saying anything to Virat Kohli at that point.”

Joe Burns, currently aged 36, has retired from Australian cricket to represent Italy in honour of his deceased brother’s memory. Burns is also leading the Italy cricket team, and they recently secured a spot in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.