Mitchell Johnson enjoyed playing against Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara's second century of the series helped India amass a total in excess of 450 in the ongoing Third Test.

Published - 28 Dec 2018, 12:15 IST | Updated - 28 Dec 2018, 12:15 IST

2 Min Read

Legendary fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been pretty lively on Twitter ever since the Indian side landed on Australian soil about a month ago. He has been taking jibes and in a way started all the sledging before the Test series kick-started and he also sarcastically suggested that the MCG surface was such that Virat Kohli should retire if he can’t get a hundred in this Test.

Despite all the bashing, Johnson came out to back one Indian cricketer, who has been drawing universal praise for his meticulous patience and application. Chesteshwar Pujara registered his second century of the series, which allowed India to post a total in excess of 400 and take complete command of the MCG Test. On a wicket where run-scoring wasn’t easy he was determined to make it count and gave them solidarity.

After calling him a run machine in the longest format, Johnson went on to add that he’s one of the finest he has played cricket with. Mitchell Johnson and Cheteshwar Pujara were in the Kings XI Punjab side together during the 2014 edition and the duo spent some time together playing for the side.

Here’s what Johnson tweeted about the next “Indian Wall”

Pujara is a Test playing run machine 🤙🏼
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 26, 2018

Coming from one of the most ‘dangerous’ fast bowlers in cricket history, it’s a big compliment for Che Pujara. https://t.co/oRUyUjLbfx
— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) December 27, 2018

I enjoyed playing against Pujara and with him also, kind man 🙏🏼
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 27, 2018

Pujara emulating his predecessor to the greatest effect

When Rahul Dravid decided to hang his boots in 2012, there were many concerns regarding the future of Indian cricket. He was the glue joining the whole middle order together and not many felt they could find a suitable replacement for him. But then, just the first match after he took over Dravid’s number three slot, Pujara slammed a hundred against Kiwis and promised a bright future.

After amassing well over 5,000 runs in Test cricket, the 30-year-old is currently the senior most cricketer in the Indian dressing room after Kohli and Ishant.