When India and Australia face off in Test cricket, it's almost impossible to assume that there will be no banter. The recent series Down Under is no different. The Perth Test witnessed quite a bit of it. But who were the culprits? None other than Virat Kohli and Tim Paine. Yes, that's right, it was the skippers who were engaged in verbal banter and while no lines were crossed, the umpire did have to step in as the last thing people want to see are the captains in a squabble.
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Day 3 and Day 4 saw them at it. Right from Virat taunting Paine to Paine responding and then coming back the next day with a retort. Paine even went to the extent of asking Murali Vijay if he liked Kohli as a person.?
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The series is only two Tests old. One feels that neither Kohli nor Paine are done with the verbal exchanges. The Boxing Day Test is just around the corner and it will be interesting to see who throws the first volley from the mouth. Amazingly barring their exchanges, there's hardly been any significant chatter. Come December 26, with both sides locked 1-1, don't be surprised if some tempers flare. The skippers have clearly set the example, now let's see if the players follow.
However, both the captains have downplayed the banter between them. They maintain it's all part of the game and whatever is said on the field stays there. Kohli and Paine are confident of not crossing a line and believe that it shall not affect the Test matches to come. Speaking to the media after the Perth game, the skippers maintained that there was no need to read too much into the matter as on the field of play, these things were bound to happen.
So let's wait and watch, after all, it's these instances that make Test cricket all the more worth watching.?