Kohli, Paine exchange verbal blows as Perth Test heads for nail-biting finish

Perth: Tensions flared-up towards the end of day three with none other than the two captains, Virat Kohli and Tim Paine, exchanging verbal volleys as the second Test between India and Australia headed for a nail-biting finish.

The hosts finished 175 runs ahead on day three, after Kohli's 25th Test hundred got India to 283 runs. The Indian skipper was out caught at second slip, and while the catch was referred to the third umpire, it wasn't overturned on account of soft signal.

It led to quite a talkative Kohli on the field during Australia's second innings, which carried on until stumps, with both captains exchanging words.

"If he messes it up, it's 2-0,"Kohli said, which was picked up by the microphone after he and his teammates made a loud caught-behind appeal for Paine in the final over of the day.

The Australian captain did not hold himself back and replied "You've got to bat first, big head".