The second Test between India and Australia in Perth was one of the most closely-fought games in recent cricket history. Both the teams had come into the contest on the back of contrasting fortunes. While the Indian team was brimming with confidence after winning the series opener, the beleaguered Australian side was still searching their first Test win under Tim Paine.
But to the contrasting perception, Australia thoroughly outplayed the visitors, thrashing them by 146 runs to level the four-match series. The Tim Paine and his men defeated Team India in almost all the trades as the Perth Stadium witnessed a memorable fight in its first-ever Test. However, all the brilliant individual performances and the competitive game was overshadowed by India skipper Virat Kohli‘s aggressive behavior on the field.
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On day three of the match, Kohli attempted to get under the skin of the opposition especially Paine as the match’s fortune hung in balance. Paine had come to the crease to bat when Australia was reeling at 120 for 4 in the second innings. Sensing an opportunity, Virat tried to poke Paine. However, the Australian skipper couldn’t stay calm for long and it eventually led to an animated verbal duel between the two skippers.
From Kohli mocking Paine to the latter calling the visiting skipper a bighead to both the captains almost colliding with each other, the game saw it all. The drama ended when Kohli gave a cold handshake to Paine after the game.
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While many felt that Paine was not at ease, dealing with Kohli’s verbal barrages, the Australia skipper said he is relishing it.
In a column for Melbourne’s Herald Sun, Paine said, “A lot was made of my battle with Virat in the second Test, and for the past few years when I haven’t been playing international cricket, he was one guy I loved watching. Now to be out in the middle going head-to-head with him in a Test series is something I’m really relishing. Virat is someone who is prepared to wear his heart on his sleeve and like all professional athletes, hates to lose.”
He further added, “I like the way Virat plays. I don’t know him personally but I’ve always admired – not only his obvious skill as a player – but the passion and aggression he plays with. People like to see that and he gets fans through the gates.”
The third and penultimate match of the series will be played in Melbourne from December 26.
