“Virat Kohli stopped Nathan Lyon and said, ‘You don’t talk, rookie’” – Ex-Australia star recalls ugly sledging

Former Australian batter Joe Burns recalled his verbal exchange with star Team India batter Virat Kohli during his Test debut in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Burns said that he tried to prompt Kohli to play shots during Nathan Lyon’s bowling but admitted that the move backfired drastically.

Australia took a 2-0 lead ahead of the third Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The hosts posted a mammoth total of 530 runs, highlighted by Steve Smith's 192. India were 108/2 when Virat Kohli came to the crease. Kohli, who was in red-hot form, scored 169 in six hours, frustrating the Australian bowlers.

I Said to Him, Virat Kohli, You Got to Play Some Shots - Joe Burns

Joe Burns made his Test debut as a replacement for the injured Michael Clarke but managed only 13 runs. Speaking with CricTracker, Burns said that he attempted to unsettle Virat Kohli, but it didn’t work.

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"In my first game, first Test match at the MCG on Boxing Day, I was 24. And first game, I was fielding at Bat Pad. And I'm pretty sure Virat made 100 that day. But there was a little bit of chirp going on," Burns said.

"Not sledging, just obviously we got Hadzi behind the stumps, and Watto was at first slip. Nathan Lyon was bowling, so I'm in close. I think it'd been four hours. I hadn't said a word. I think I said one line. I think I said to him, Virat, you got to play some shots," he added.

Turned to Me and Said, ‘You Don't Talk, Rookie’ - Joe Burns

Joe Burns stated that Virat Kohli responded with a shot, adding that it left him embarrassed. Burns admitted he stayed silent for the next four days, saying that Kohli was not someone to challenge.

"He stopped the bowler, stopped Nathan Lyon, turned to me and said, ‘You don't talk, rookie’. Next ball faced up, smacked it through covers. It was very embarrassing for me," Burns continued.

"I didn't say a word the next four days after that, but it showed me that Virat was not someone to mess with. And I think as a 24-year-old débutant at Bat Pad, it wasn't really the person or in the place to be saying anything to Virat at that point."

Virat Kohli Doesn’t Take a Backward Step - Joe Burns

Joe Burns said that Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May with 9,230 runs and 30 centuries in 123 matches, left a lasting impact on the team’s playing style. Burns added that making eye contact with him on the field only motivated Kohli further.

“Virat Kohli doesn’t take a backward step. He really shaped that team’s identity. Even now, when he’s not in the team, you can see India still play in the mould of what he built over the years. He was always a fierce competitor. Personally, I tried not to look at him on the field because I knew that spurred him on.”

Kohli last played a competitive match in IPL 2025. He was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s first-ever title. The 36-year-old batter will next play for India during the three-match ODI series against Australia in October.

Also read: "Closing doors on him?" - RCB coach destroys Gambhir, Agarkar for burying Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup hopes