War of words continues to make headline before the much awaited India vs Australia matches. First, it was Sourav Ganguly vs Steve Waugh who got into a verbal spat as they spoke about their respective teams. Now, it is Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson. So here’s what happened. Ahead of leaving for Australia, Virat was asked about the altercation on the field that happens quite regularly between the two sides as the contest gets tougher. Responding to the journalist Virat said that he was completely okay playing without any on-field argument and was looking forward to having a sledging free summer in Australia. India vs Australia 2018: Sourav Ganguly and Steve Waugh Begin War of Words Ahead of ‘Cricket Ka Maha Muqabla’.

“When it comes to getting engaged in an argument on the field, or in a fight as people want to call it excitedly, I have been completely OK playing without an altercation,” Kohli told in the pre-departure presser,” said Virat Kohli at the press conference. Fox Sports tweeted the clip of Virat Kohli at the conference and Mitchell Johnson obviously watched the same. He responded to the tweet and wrote back, “I look forward to no Virat send offs".

The two cricketers have always engaged in a verbal battle. In 2014, when Mitchell Johnson aimed to hit at the stumps. Virat Kohli was standing at the non-striker’s gave an earful to the fiery pacer. Last year when Australia toured India, Mitchell Johnson took a dig and Virat Kohli who got injured ahead of the Ranchi test. The Indian skipper who got ruled out of the match also spoke about India’s friendship with the Australians. This surely did not go down well with the pacer. Mitchell Johnson took to Twitter and said, “Rahane should stay captain! It was a tough series but I believe it should stay on the field with the player.” The first T20 match between India and Australia will take place on November 21, 2018, in Brisbane. India vs Australia 2018-19 Schedule & Time Table in PDF for Download in IST: List of T20Is, Tests & ODI Matches; Full Fixtures with Match Timings of IND vs AUS Series.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 17, 2018 09:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).