Australia have not won a Test series against India, home or away, since the 2014-15 tour. Under Pat Cummins’ leadership, the Aussies aim to turn the tide in the upcoming five-match series. Former pacer Mitchell Johnson, who played in the last Australia side to beat India, credited Virat Kohli for transforming Indian cricket. In his column, Johnson praised Kohli’s aggressive attitude, calling it a defining trait.

“When Kohli first emerged, I heard a lot about him being the next Sachin Tendulkar, though we knew Sachin couldn’t be replaced. I was lucky to play against both legends, and while they shared some similarities, Kohli’s combativeness set him apart,” Johnson wrote. He noted that Kohli’s fiery approach was something new for Indian players, who usually did not match Australia’s intensity. Kohli not only embodied this attitude but inspired his team to play with the same toughness, changing the face of Indian cricket.

Johnson also recalled the 2014-15 series where Kohli dominated the scoring, though Australia won 2-0. Reflecting on his personal rivalry with Kohli, Johnson said, “We had many on-field battles, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Kohli pushed his teammates to train harder, creating a competitive and confident Indian side.