Virat Kohli has had a stellar record against Australia across formats. Kohli in 2014 was India's top run-scorer in the series with 692 runs from four innings. India failed to win the four-Test series and played two draws but Kohli was sensational with the bat. His fierce battle with Australia’s then in-form left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson was one of the most-talked about points. In a recent interaction, Kohli recalled how Johnson hitting him with a bouncer led to his vision dropping for a while and how he decided not to give up and dominate the Australian.
“First Test, first ball of the tour. He hit me on the head. And I was in disbelief. I had been visualising how I would play in this series for the past 60 days. And suddenly, there was a complete change of plans. It was a heavy blow. My vision started dropping, I had swelling. There were 2 deliveries remaining before lunch, that I played,” Kohli recalled at an event.
After his plans went for a toss, Kohli decided to take on Johnson. He scored four centuries in the four-Test series.
“Now… these are the things you feel grateful for. There were two options: fight or flight. Naturally, my reaction was like, 'isne mere ko maari kaise sar pe ball (How could he hit me on the head?). I was like, ‘main isko itna maarunga iss series me (I will hit him so hard throughout this series). That’s exactly what I did,” Kohli said as the crowd cheered him.
In the first Test of the series, he scored centuries in both innings. However, India did not emerge victorious at Adelaide Oval and lost the match by 48 runs after getting bowled out for 315.
Kohli’s form in IPL 2024
Kohli has been in form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. He holds the Orange Cap with 319 runs from six games at an average of 79.75. The 35-year-old has already scored one century and two half-centuries in the season but his strike rate of 141.78 has been under the scanner. However, RCB's overseas stars and bowlers have struggled leading to five losses from six games. The Faf du Plessis-led side is currently at the bottom of the points table.
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