Australia v India: Centurion Virat Kohli says he is inspired by sledging
India star "annoyed" at being hit by Mitchell Johnson during run-out attempt
Sunday 28 December 2014 16:21, UK
Virat Kohli says Australia’s sledging only serves to make him play better after notching a ton on day three of the third Test in Melbourne.
Kohli (169) posted his third century of the series at The MCG as he and Ajinkya Rahane (147) guided India to within 68 runs of the hosts’ first-innings total by the close of play.
And the right handed insists that the verbals from the Australia players contributed to him cracking his fifth Test hundred against them.
"I like playing against Australia because it's very hard for them to stay calm,” said Kohli. “It really excites me and brings the best out in me and they don't seem to be learning the lesson.
“They were calling me a spoilt brat and I said: ‘Maybe that's the way I am. I know you guys hate me and I like that’.
“You've got to send the right message across. I'm not going to out there to take unnecessary words or chat from someone. I'm going out there to play cricket."
Skill
Kohli was involved in a flashpoint during his MCG record fourth-wicket partnership of 262 with Rahane when he was knocked to ground by the ball as Mitchell Johnson attempted to run him out.
Johnson – who eventually dismissed Kohli with the final delivery of the day – immediately apologised but tempers flared between the pair before the umpires stepped in.
Live Test Cricket
Kohli showed no ill-effects of his hit, though, to notch his ninth three-figure score in Tests and says the confrontation made him more determined to smack Johnson’s left-arm pace around the ground.
“I was really annoyed with him hitting me with the ball and I told him: 'That's not on, try to hit the stumps next time, not my body',” Kohli added.
“I back myself that I can take him on, even if I keep talking to him. That's important. You can't back off after saying a few words and then not show it with your skill.
“I don't mind giving a word back and neither does he. So we kept it going on.”
Watch day four of the third Test between Australia and India from 11.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 4.
