A massive row has erupted between former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and an Indian online news organisation, following an article published by the latter wherein they claimed to have interviewed the Aussie legend.

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An article, published on December 23, had excerpts of the writer’s interview with Johnson on the ongoing Test series between Australia and India and a number of other matters. But hours after it was published, the Aussie issued a statement through Twitter, wherein he denied having any such conversation.

Johnson is quoted as saying that Jasprit Bumrah is “hard to score off and any batsman will think twice before taking him on”.

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However, Johnson took to Twitter late on Sunday saying that he was not in Melbourne and also did not recall giving an interview to Mukherjee.

Interesting article @TOISportsNews given I’m not in Melbourne & never sat down for a Q&A with this journalist https://t.co/BUNn1klcoc

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 23, 2018

In another tweet, where Johnson quoted the International Cricket Council’s curation of the same interview, the Australian said he does “agree with parts of it but I never sat down with anyone from memory”.

Where has this come from? I don’t recall this. Who wrote this? I do agree with parts of it but I never sat down with anyone from memory https://t.co/mlqSWdFuFS

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 23, 2018

It was then followed by a statement by the news organisation, in which they vehemently denied Johnson’s charges that an interview did not take place, and even posted a picture of the interviewee and Johnson to back their claim.

TOI stands by its interview with @MitchJohnson398 which was carried on December 23, 2018. Read our statement below. pic.twitter.com/DE5uxnk86j

— TOI Sports News (@TOISportsNews) December 24, 2018

But the former Aussie fast-bowler has hit back, putting forward a set of facts for the news organisation. He even accused the writer of the article of listening into his conversation with other journalists and picking up excerpts to write an article.

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He put forward the following points in front of the news organisation:

1. A selfie is not proof an interview took place. I have taken thousands of selfies with fans over the years.
2. There are plenty of articles I have read that I agree with parts of them however this does not mean I had anything to do with them.
3. The format of the so called interview is Q &A and by your own admission this did not take place.
4. When you say this interview was based on parts of a conversation that was spread out over the Test match. Which parts? Does that mean the rest is just made up to suit you?
5. For the record now you have refreshed my “faint memory” I do recall this man lurking around during the Test match trying to listen in on conversations I was having with other journalists. So I can only assume his so called Q & A was loosely based on parts of conversation he partially overheard me have with other people

In response to your @toisports @TOISportsNews statement see the following: pic.twitter.com/9oQsTEp5aH

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 24, 2018