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We're equipped enough to handle Mitchell Johnson, says Virat Kohli

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Kohli has said that India is prepared to tackle Australia's ace fast bowler Mitchell Johnson
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Mitchell Johnson might be the most feared fast bowler in Test cricket at the moment, but India's stand-in skipper Virat Kohli said the team was totally equipped to handle the Australian's thunderboults.
Johnson, who was recently crowned ICC Cricketer of the Year, had missed India's last tour Down Under in 2011-12 due to injury.

"He's been bowling really well - everyone knows that. Credit to him for doing all that," Kohli told reporters on the eve of the first two-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide on Sunday. "We are equipped enough to tackle him on these pacy and bouncy wickets. I don't see any good reason why we can't come up and put up a good fight.

"It's all about mentally being there. If you can visualise being in that battle and being on top, I think you're going to be able to go out there and execute it. I think the guys in our team have the ability to do it... it's all about being mentally present."

The last time India visited Australia, the team just had five days of match practice going into the four-match Test series, in which they were thumped 4-0. This time around, they have two two-day warm-up matches, the first of which starts on Monday at Glenelg.

"I think coming to Australia and playing, it's more about the mindset rather than getting used to the conditions, because pace and bounce is something which you can get used to. But unless you're mentally there, there's no point of any sort of practice," Kohli said.

The swashbuckling Delhi batsman, who will lead the side for the first Test starting on December 4 due to the absence of the injured MS Dhoni, said he has always been comfortable as a leader. "I love leading the side, I love being captain, I love putting my first foot forward and putting in my (views) throughout the game. I don't see any issues on why I can't be up to the challenge.

"As long as the team backs me and puts in the performances we want, I think I'm going to look good at the end of the day," Kohli said. Australian pacer Peter Siddle was quick to start some mind games, saying Kohli might find the rowdy crowd and added responsibilities of leading the side "a bit daunting".

"Well, that's for me to know and for me to experience," Kohli shot back. "I've played against him, he's quite a competitive guy so I'm not surprised there's already some banter starting from that end... (and) I don't mind all that," he added.

Squad: INDIA (from): Virat Kohli (C), Varun Aaron, R Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Naman Ojha, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Karn Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav

CA XI (from): Ashton Turner (C), Ryan Carters, Harry Conway, Alex Gregory, Sam Grimwade, Seb Gotch, Josh Lalor, David Moody, Jonte Pattison, Matt Short, Kelvin Smith, Nick Stevens
 

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