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Kohli-Johnson verbal volleys spice things up on Day 3

December 28, 2014 11:23 IST

Virat Kohli (right) and Mitchell Johnson exchange words. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

India vice-captain Virat Kohli's temperament was once again tested after the batsman was hit by a Mitchell Johnson return throw which resulted in the two players getting into a verbal duel on the third day of the ongoing third Test, in Melbourne, on Sunday.

- Scorecard

The drama began in the 83rd over of the Indian innings when Kohli was 16 short of his hundred after the right-hander pushed a delivery back to Johnson, who immediately threw it back at the stumps, taking down the batsman inadvertently.

The Australian pacer immediately apologised and checked on Kohli but the No. 4 batsman was not amused and fired back with a barrage of verbal volleys.

Mitchell Johnson apologises to Virat Kohli after hitting him with the ball while attempting a run out. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The incident, which happened in between overs, though did seem to have an adverse effect on Kohli who looked shaken and Johnson tried to cash in a couple of overs later.

The left-arm pacer did induce an outside edge off the Indian's bat only to see Shane Watson drop one at first slip when Kohli was on 88.

The stylish batsman went on to register his third century of the ongoing series, but for a moment it seemed that Australia had once again won the sledging war against the visitors.

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