Paine v Kohli 2.0: Skippers’ war of words threatens to spill over

The simmering tension between captains Tim Paine and Virat Kohli threatened to get physical in Perth after the on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney was forced to separate the pair early on day four.

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Tim Paine has taken Virat Kohli down a peg or two with a classic exchange which continued the pair’s verbal sparring.

They went toe to toe at stumps last session as ‘King Kohli’ started to unravel as Australia regained control of the second Test.

And, as he and Usman Khawaja pushed Australia;s lead past 200, Paine revived the verbal sparring with Kohli - forcing umpire Chris Gaffaney to step in and cool things down.

Virat Kohli (left) and Tim Paine clash in Perth. Picture: AAP

Part of the exchange was caught by the stump microphones, with Paine noting Kohli had “lost it” late on Sunday.

“You’re the one that lost it yesterday, that’s why you’re trying to be cool today,” Paine said to Kohli, who was fielding at mid-on.

Sensing things could bubble over, Gaffaney stepped in to calm the situation.

“That’s enough. Come on, just play the game. You’re the captains!” Gaffaney says.

Paine retorted: “We’re just trying to have a conversation. There’s no swearing.”

Kohli and Paine refused to take a backwards step. Picture: Getty

Kohli snears at Paine late on day three. Picture: Fox Sports

Paine had the last laugh, and last comment, when he looked over at Kohli and gave one final piece of advice: “keep your cool Virat”.

Gaffaney earned some praise from Australian great Mike Hussey, who says he’s handled the situation perfectly.

“He’s done the right thing there, just getting in between the two of them,” Hussey says.

The over finishes with Kohli crowding the pitch and running into Paine as he completes a single.

Keep your cool, Virat.

Great session of cricket for Australia. Love seeing both batsman fight hard & not throw their wickets away, but tough it out. Very impressed with Tim Paine on all levels. The Indian skipper he’s box office & good for the game. Lastly, this innings will be the making of Khawaja

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 17, 2018

Paine handling this superbly. Not cowering but not taking the bait. Elite skippering. https://t.co/33arDEvncy

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) December 17, 2018

"Keep your cool Virat!"

It's getting heated in Perth yet again between skippers @tdpaine36 and @imVkohli https://t.co/5cgrHWfEU1 #AUSvIND #Kohli pic.twitter.com/GlPEW9uAS3

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 17, 2018

I'd call this polite niggle #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/6QWTpN75Uf

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 17, 2018

Hilarious to see all these Australian fans on Twitter get triggered about Kohli's banter. I mean c'mon, the Aussie players behaved 10x worse on the field for decades... it's called the "Australian style" for a reason 😂 #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #Paine

— Young Indian (@youngindianman) December 17, 2018

"That's enough, that's enough. Play the game. You guys are the captains."

Chris Gaffney might not hold a candle to Shastri's quote from the first Test but close enough.#AUSvIND

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) December 17, 2018

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