In the last few days, Mitchell Johnson must have lost many fans from India due to his criticism of India skipper Virat Kohli. The former Australia pacer, who does not share a good rapport with Kohli, has not squandered any chance to take a shot at Kohli. Johnson called Kohli ‘disrespectful’ and ‘silly’ for his on-field behaviour in the second Test. Not only that, he also said that not Kohli but Ajinkya Rahane should lead India in Tests.
As expected, he faced the heat from the Indian fans as they slammed him on Twitter. But for a change Johnson, on Wednesday, praised an Indian player. However, the player was not Kohli but Cheteshwar Pujara. The right-handed batsman compiled a fighting century in the ongoing third Test in Melbourne to put India in the driver’s seat.
With the Melbourne pitch’s variable pitch making life difficult for the batsmen, Pujara showed why he is one of the best Test batsmen in the world at the moment. He stood like a rock to make the Australian bowlers toil hard under the sun. Resuming the day on 68, he and Virat Kohli made sure that the hosts’ miserable run with the ball continues.
Australia managed just two wickets on the opening day and Kohli and Pujara added further salt to their wounds by seeing off the first session. By Lunch on the second day, the two batsmen had added 154 for the third wicket on an unbeaten stand. The visitors added 62 runs to their overnight score of 215 for 2 to head to lunch with the scoreboard reading 277 for 2.
In the very session, Pujara reached his ton to set the platform for a big total. It took him a staggering 280 balls to reach the three-digit mark on the tough pitch. And as soon as he reached his century, accolades flew in as Johnson also praised the India star. The Ashes-winning pacer called Johnson one of the nicest guys in the game as he hailed him.
“Another great ? by a great player & by one of the nicest guys in the game ?????? Well done buddy #pujara #runmachine ,” wrote Johnson.
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1078099684164423680