Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, renowned for his fiery demeanor and outstanding batting prowess, has left an indelible mark on the sport with his remarkable performances over the years. One such unforgettable chapter in his cricketing journey unfolded during India’s tour of Australia, where despite the team’s overall series loss, Kohli’s exceptional display shone brightly, notably against bowler Mitchell Johnson.
Reflecting on that tour, Virat Kohli shared a captivating anecdote that epitomized his resilience and determination. Recalling the first match of the series, Kohli recounted how a fierce delivery from Johnson struck him on the head, momentarily altering his game plan. Despite the initial shock, Kohli’s response was a testament to his unwavering spirit.
“Isko mein itna maarunga naa, and that’s exactly what I did”
Kohli saab talking about the 2014 Australia tour and his battle against Mitchell Johnson 👑💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/geP35IUz08
— Aani⁷ ★彡 (@wigglyywhoops) April 11, 2024
“During the first match of the tour, the very first ball of Johnson hit me on the head,” he recollected. “Back then at first, it was complete disbelief,” Virat Kohli revealed. “For 60 days, I had been visualizing that I’d play like this and that, but there was a complete change of plans after that blow,” he continued.
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Despite the adversity, Kohli demonstrated remarkable resolve, turning adversity into opportunity. “It was a heavy blow, and my vision started dropping as my left eye started swelling, but I did not notice it back then,” Kohli admitted. “At lunch, there were basically two options, fight or flight,” he explained.
Virat Kohli chose the former, driven by the indignation of being hit. “My reaction was obviously one that went, how dare he hit me on the head? I’ll smack him around and that is what I did,” Kohli revealed.
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His response was nothing short of extraordinary, as he went on to score centuries in both innings of the first match, with scores of 115 and 141, despite India’s loss. Though the series had its ups and downs, Kohli’s resilience and batting prowess were on full display throughout, underlining his status as one of the game’s greats.
