Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli’s temperament was once again tested after the batsman was hit by a Mitchell Johnson return throw followed by the two players getting into a verbal duel on the third day of the ongoing third Test, in Melbourne on Sunday.
The drama began in the 83rd over of the Indian innings when Kohli was 16 short of his hundred. Kohli pushed a delivery back to Johnson, who immediately threw it back at the stumps, taking down the batsman inadvertently. The pacer immediately apologised and checked on Kohli but the No.4 batsman was not amused and fired back with a barrage of verbal volleys.
The incident, which happened between overs, though did seem to have an adverse effect on Kohli who looked shaken and Johnson tried to cash in a couple of overs later.
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The left-arm pacer did induce an outside edge off the Indian’s bat only to see Shane Watson drop one at first slip. Kohli was on 88.
The stylish batsman went on to register his third century in the series so far, but for a moment it seemed that Australia had once again won the sledging war against the visitors.