Parthiv Patel Recalls The Incident In 2016 When He Sledged Mitchell Johnson

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel may not boast of superlative records but never fails to make cheeky remarks on the field. The left-handed batsman tried sledging the then Australian captain Steve Waugh during his final Test in 2004. While he hasn’t remained a regular fixture in the team, his domestic records are far superior, having also led Gujarat to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2016. In a recent interview, Parthiv Patel remembered one of the sledging incidents, involving Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in 2016 during an IPL game.

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Besides terrifying some of the best batsmen during his playing days, Mitchell Johnson has had altercations with them. Johnson has had a war of words with the likes of Virat Kohli, Kevin Pietersen, and James Anderson when steaming in to bowl. Yet, when he came across the little dynamite Parthiv Patel in the IPL, the Gujarat batsman didn’t spare the Australian with the bat or words.

Everytime we’ve played, I’ve smashed him: Parthiv Patel

The incident ensued in the eleventh season of the IPL when Parthiv was playing for Mumbai Indians and the left-arm seamer featuring for Kings XI Punjab.

On Fan Code’s LockdownButNotOut series, the southpaw conceded that he had carted him all over the park during all of their contests. Concerning that game in 2016, the 35-year old had scored 80 off 81 balls. Hence, when Johnson came out to bat, Parthiv advised him to use his right arm instead of left-arm since his right arm may prove effectual and get him dismissed. Interestingly, the duo has also played together for Mumbai Indians.

“One thing I remember I told Mitchell Johnson during an IPL game. I had scored 80 (81 actually) and I’d smashed him all over the park. For the record everytime we’ve played, I’ve smashed him. And he had a lot of words to say to me. So when he came down to bat I told him ‘I don’t think you can get me out with your left arm why don’t you try bowling with your right arm, you might get me out with that.” Patel said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The 35-year old last represented India in January 2018, having made his debut in 2002. He has featured in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for the men in blue.

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