Regardless of whether they sledge or shut up, Australia know Virat Kohli is the Indian most capable of ending their World Twenty20 campaign.
Kohli will be the key wicket for Australia in the high-stakes World T20 clash on Monday at Mohali, where the victor advances to the semi-finals and the loser is eliminated.
The 27-year-old recently crafted an unbeaten 55 to steer his side to win over Pakistan on a raging turner in Kolkata, and he was the player of the tournament at the 2014 World T20.
Regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, Kohli posted four centuries during the 2014-15 Test series in Australia.
He memorably swapped barbs with Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin and others while scoring a career-best 169 at the MCG.
"I don't mind an argument on the field. It really excites me and brings the best out of me so they don't seem to be learning the lesson," Kohli said at the time.
Watson suggested Australia had tried a few different things to curb Kohli's rampant run-scoring in the past, none of which had worked.
"The silent treatment we thought might work, but he still just goes about his business and is able to churn out the runs," Watson said.
"And we've also gone fairly hard at him as well at times. I've only ever seen it affect him for about two balls."
Kohli noted he thrived on getting into on-field "debates", but was confident he could fire even if that didn't happen.
"Not every team is going to have a go at you so it's better to plan your innings without that situation, and if that situation comes in you have to take it as more fuel to the fire," Kohli said on Saturday.
"If anything, that motivates me more."
James Faulkner was involved in a handful of spats with the fiery right-hander during the ODI series at the start of 2016.
"You're wasting your energy. There's no point. I've smashed you enough in my life," Kohli said during a century at the MCG, waving Faulkner away.
Faulkner described it as friendly banter.
"I saw him at the hotel in Bangalore, he's fine. There's nothing going on there," the allrounder said.
"We know how good a player he is and everyone tries to get good players off their game."
Watson was full of praise for Kohli, noting his side would need to dismiss him early.
"Because once he gets in he certainly knows how to put pressure on bowlers," the allrounder said.
"The shots that he plays, how easily he seems to be able to play the balls into the gaps and over the fence as well, is incredible."
Share
