AB de Villiers guesses reason behind strained David-Mitchell Johnson relationship: 'Some scars from the...'

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AB de Villiers has given his verdict on the ongoing saga between David Warner and AB de Villiers, saying that the two Australian superstars should resolve their issues privately.

Notably, a newspaper column by Mitchell Johnson criticising David Warner's selection for the upcoming 3-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan went viral. In the column, Johnson questioned the hero's send-off being given to Warner. The 37-year-old opener is set to retire from Test cricket after the series.

Mitchell Johnson pointed out at David Warner's poor form in Test cricket, and highlighted his role in the 2017 ball-tampering scandal which brought disrepute to Australian cricket. Johsnon was criticised by former captains Michael Clarke and Tim Paine for his "personal attack" on Warner.

Later, Mitchell Johnson revealed the reason behind his column on his podcast 'Mitchell Johnson Show'. He said that Warner had sent Johnson a text which was "quite personal" after he countered his wife Candice Warner's claim that there was no opener in Australia to replace her husband.

"Some of the things that he mentioned in that message. I won't say it because that's up to Dave to say if he wants to talk about it. There was some stuff in there, which was extremely disappointing what he said, and pretty bad, to be honest. That sort of was a bit of a driver," Johnson said.

AB de Villiers on David Warner-Mitchell Johnson

South Africa legend AB de Villiers has now opined that David Warner is an aggressive character on the field, and his short temper might have collided with that of Mitchell Johnson.

"I just don't like this public conversation between the two of them. Just pick up the phone and sort it out. Ask the guy let's go out for a cold drink and sort the issues out. I feel there are some scars from the dressing room but don't let the world get in on this," AB de Villiers said on YouTube.

"I have played many cricket games with this guy (Warner) and on the field he can be brutal, but off the field, he is a gentle giant. He is a nice guy. Something switches on the field just like Dale Steyn. I have played with Davey at Delhi Daredevils and maybe there is a bit of short fuse sometimes. Maybe his and Mitch's short fuse collided."