Even before the players have hit the ground for the do-or-die T20 world cup contest between India and Australia, mind games have already begun between the teams and former players are a part of it.
Former Aussie quick, Mitchell Johnson fired the first salvo at star Indian batsman, Virat Kohli, questioning his temperament in big games.
"Love it!! Went missing in WC semi last yr when it really counts", tweeted Johnson in response to Kohli saying that a debate on the field motivates him more.
"Debate on the field or not, it doesn’t really matter with me," Kohli told reporters on Saturday.
"I’m pretty sure of the plans I take into the middle but if I get into a little bit with anyone, and if I have to take a certain stand, that doesn’t necessarily put me off my game.
"If anything, that motivates me more", Kohli said during the pre-match press conference.
#TeamIndia batsman Virat Kohli addressed the media at Mohali ahead of the game against Australia #IndvAus #WT20 Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Saturday, 26 March 2016
Johnson alluded to the 2015 cricket world cup semi-final between Australia and India. Kohli could score just one run before Mitchell Johnson got him caught by the wicket-keeper.
However, Australian allrounder Shane Watson acknowledged that Kohli was a difficult batsman to unsettle.
"We’ve tried a few different things, it hasn't really worked. The silent treatment, we thought might work but he still just goes about his business and is able to churn out the runs. And we've also gone fairly hard at him as well, at times.
Kohli on the fire that burns withinNothing will be left on the table when Virat Kohli renews his rivalry with us in a do-or-die #WT20 match on Sunday. Posted by Australian Cricket Team on Saturday, 26 March 2016
The result of tonight's clash which decides who reaches the last four in this world cup. So a lot is at stake for both the teams.
Australia may not have a very impressive record in this format of the game, but they have begun looking good just at the right time. The team buried Pakistan under a huge score due to some meaty hitting by all-rounder Shane Watson and commendable versatility of Steve Smith.
Indi will be walking in tonight's contest with a lot of confidence at the back of a 3-0 win against the Aussies at their home soil earlier this year. Though the team will be buoyant after the way it managed to snatch victory out of the gaping jaws of defeat against Bangladesh, however, they certainly have some issues to fix in the batting department.
Both teams have faced off four times in T20 world cups, winning 2 matches each.
