Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has slammed the Indian team’s tactics during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Johnson criticizes India for trying to intimidate Australian rookies, says tactic backfired as Australia won Test series 3-1.

Mitchell Johnson points out that India’s attempts to capitalize on rookies’ inexperience have rattled them, but young players like Sam Constellation and Bo Webster have been in trouble in the recent 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Showed remarkable composure in the cup and performed well under pressure.

Mitchell Johnson slams India’s failed attempt to break Australia’s Sam Constellation and Bo Webster

The former pacer also pointed out that India’s plan is not only to test the technical ability of newcomers such as Sam Constellation and Bo Webster but also to challenge their mental toughness, aiming to make them feel comfortable on the big stage. Isolated and vulnerable.

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Johnson highlighted how the Indians were focused on creating an intimidating atmosphere, but their efforts ultimately failed as Australia’s young stars thrived in the high-stakes environment, becoming stronger and more resilient and helping Australia recaptured BGT after more than a decade.

Their efforts didn’t really pay off: Mitchell Johnson

In his column for the Evening Standard, Mitchell Johnson wrote: “The Indian team appears to have embraced a ‘2 against 11’ mentality in the middle order, with the aim of keeping the Australian batsmen feeling isolated and under pressure. The focus is not just on testing technical skills “It’s also about the challenge of mental toughness that’s crucial in Test cricket, but their efforts haven’t really paid off.”

Tensions have risen during the 2024-25 Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Sydney Border with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald accusing India of trying to intimidate Sam Konstas. Later, the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed the claim, saying Constas had no reason to be involved in discussions between the parties Jasprit Bumrah and Usman Khawaja.

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Mitchell Johnson backs Sam Konstas to support Usman Khawaja against Jasprit Bumrah at SCG

However, Mitchell Johnson has backed Constas to defend teammate Usman Khawaja but feels India and Australia could have handled the situation more calmly in the New Year’s Test at the SCG. The former fiery pacer also feels that Australia’s senior players should guide the newcomers in dealing with such high-pressure situations.

Johnson further stated, “I appreciate what Constace is doing by supporting his teammates, but now is just the wrong time to make this kind of contact. At the end of the day, there can only be one winner. This highlights the introduction to the team A key aspect for new players: they need guidance from experienced teammates to know how to handle various scenarios in the game’s dynamics.”

Notably, Sam Konstas vs Jasprit Bumrah during the first innings of Australia’s final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) As they talked, tensions rose. The Indian pacer was frustrated with Usman Khawaja’s alleged delay in the match before the end.

In the same over, Bumrah dismissed Khawaja before he and his Indian teammates walked towards Konstas to express their frustration. However, Bumrah was unable to bowl due to back spasms in the second innings and India lost to Australia by six wickets.