Indian cricket has witnessed many revolutionary players, but Mitchell Johnson believes Virat Kohli stands out as someone who fundamentally reshaped the team’s character and approach.

Ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Johnson shared his thoughts on Kohli’s aggressive attitude and its impact on the Indian team, recalling iconic moments from their on-field rivalry.

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How did Kohli redefine Indian Cricket?

Johnson described Kohli as a player “up for the fight” from the start. Kohli’s aggressive approach during matches, particularly his ability to confront opponents head-on, marked a new era for Indian cricket.

“One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight! That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point. We were used to giving it but didn’t always get it back in return,” Mitchell Johnson spoke to The West Australian.

Unlike many Indian players before him, Kohli made combative cricket a core part of his game, inspiring teammates to adopt a similarly fearless mindset.

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“While the occasional player from India may have been combative in moments, Kohli really made it a part of his game. He took his team with him as well so it’s not an understatement to say that Kohli changed the face of Indian cricket, taking a new generation of players and showing them how to play tough cricket,” Johnson added further.

What happened during their iconic 2014-15 face-off?

The 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy marked a turning point in Kohli’s career. Stepping up as India’s Test captain, Kohli showcased his leadership with twin centuries in his captaincy debut at Adelaide.

Although India lost the series 2-0, Kohli’s performance left a lasting impression on the Australians, particularly Mitchell Johnson.

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One of the most heated moments occurred during the Boxing Day Test when Johnson’s throw accidentally hit Kohli. Unfazed, Kohli responded with a career-best 169.