Virat Kohli is frustrated because he hasn't scored a run, says Mitchell Johnson

After enjoying a sublime run-of-form in four consecutive series, Kohli failed to muster enough steam in the ongoing series against Australia and could manage scores of only 0, 13, 12, and 15 in the four innings he has played so far. And this blip in form has given a chance to all his naysayers to criticize his aggression on the field. Johnson, being the latest entrant in the group, called Kohli 'frustrated'.

"He's (Virat Kohli) obviously quite passionate, but I just think he's frustrated because he hasn't scored a run and he's letting his emotions get the better of him. You could sense the vibe change halfway through the match and it coincided with India getting ahead in the game," Johnson wrote in his blog for foxsports.com.au.

"Obviously whenever there's a wicket the cameras go straight to Kohli to see his reaction - they know they're going to get those kind of reactions from him. And they did! He was giving a send-off to just about every player, which you've got to be very careful with. It can happen sometimes, when you're pumped up and you get a bit too fired up," wrote the seamer.

There had existed a bitter rivalry between the duo in India’s 2014 tour Down Under where Kohli took a special liking towards Johnson and handled him comfortably. Johnson, however, also got the Indian talisman out 3 times in 6 innings on that tour. He recalled that series and said that some heated exchanges made the matter worse between them.

"I had a few run-ins with Virat. To be honest, I think it was every time we played. He hasn't had any time for me since the Boxing Day Test in 2014, when he finished the day saying he had no respect for me. The moment that changed everything was when he blocked a ball back to me and I threw it back at the stumps, seeing Virat was out of his crease and thinking I was a chance of a run out," recalled the Australian.

"The only problem was that Virat was in the way. He got hit in the back and I apologised straight away because it was a complete accident, but that message didn't seem to get through. There were plenty of verbals after that and he hasn't really stopped since," wrote Johnson.