Mitchell Johnson celebrates taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma. Source: Getty Images

There was a time when Mitchell Johnson struggled to block out the constant yapping of opponents, rival fans, whatever.

Now he flashes a knowing grin, as if to say ‘you won’t be smiling for long, pal’.

India poked the bear by trying to intimidate pace demon Johnson and it was only ever going to end one way.

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Rohit Sharma was made to rue his sledging of Mitchell Johnson. Source: Getty Images

Johnson came to the crease on Friday with Australia in trouble at 6-247, still trailing in the first innings by 161.

Immediately the Indian fieldsmen were in his ear, with Rohit Sharma in a particularly feisty mood, as reported by Bharat Sundaresan in the Indian Express.

“When the Indians saw Mitchell Johnson appear at the Gabba on Friday, they seemed agitated,” Sundaresan wrote. “They were snarly. They were pumped.

“To the man, they were ready to get into Johnson’s face, and tell him what they thought of him.

“Rohit Sharma of all people was the first one to get there. ‘How many wickets have you got?’ he was overheard telling Johnson, who had gone wicket-less in the first innings.”

Australia have taken a 2-nil series lead after defeating India in the second Test on day four at the Gabba.

Tailender Johnson thumped a match-turning 88 off 93 balls as Australia recovered to score 505 and claim a first-innings lead of 97.

Johnson resumed on day four with bowling figures of 0-29, before producing a fearsome display of pace bowling to finish with 4-61.

The left-arm quick’s initial four-over spell on Saturday morning yielded 3-14 off four overs.

Johnson made the key breakthrough to remove Virat Kohli (1) who played a short ball onto his stumps in the fourth over of the morning.

Ishant Sharma claps Mitchell Johnson after missing a ball on day three. Picture: Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia

In his next over, Johnson had Ajinkya Rahane (10) caught at gully. Two balls later Rohit Sharma fended a short ball through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for a duck and India was 4-86.

India recovered to reach 9-224 before Johnson struck again to dismiss Umesh Yadav (30), as India set Australia 128 to win.

Australia chased down its target with four wickets and more than a day’s play to spare.

“It’s all part of the game,” Johnson said of the on-field chat from India.

“I love it. The more that comes my way, the better.”

Legspin great Shane Warne said the barrage of chat aimed in Johnson’s direction during his batting stint didn’t work in the touring team’s favour.

Mitchell Johnson salutes after bringing up his half-century. Picture: Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia

“Mitchell Johnson is fired up this morning,” Warne told Channel Nine. “They picked the wrong guy to rouse.

“The Indians yesterday decided to get into him.

“The Indians were overdoing the short stuff, the verbals.

“Mitchell Johnson, we talked about firing up the wrong guy.

“You can just see his intensity.”

Johnson was especially delighted after picking up the wicket of Rohit Sharma, who was caught behind after prodding at a short ball.

No doubt Johnson let Sharma know how many wickets he now had.