India's Virat Kohli draws on Australian sledging to score 169
Indian batsman exchanges words with paceman Mitchell Johnson as the tourists hit back in third test
India's Virat Kohli says Australia's sledging and attempted intimidation sparked his career-high innings of 169 on the third day of the third cricket test on Sunday.
Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (148) put together a fluent 262-run partnership on a placid pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, helping India to 462 for eight in response to Australia's first innings total of 530.
Tempers flared at times, especially between Kohli and Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, which served only to fire up the India batsman.
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'
"It was going on throughout the day," Kohli said. "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'.
"I like playing against Australia because it's very hard for them to stay calm. It really excites me and brings the best out in me. They don't seem to be learning the lesson."
Things came to a head in the second session when Johnson threw the ball towards Kohli's wicket while the batsman was out of his crease, only to hit him in the lower back, sending him to the ground. Johnson apologised but the pair had a heated exchange at the end of the over.
