India and Australia have long had a competitive relationship in cricket, but former Indian skipper Virat Kohli thinks that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has improved the players’ conduct over time. Kohli feels that although there is still some rivalry between the two sides, the banter is no longer ‘nasty’ because of the time the players have spent together playing in different IPL teams.

The 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy witnessed banters between players of both teams on the field, and the stump mics recorded it all. But that was not the case this time around. The recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy did not witness any such nasty moments between the players, as it ended 2-1 in India’s favor.

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During a recent podcast with AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli said, “The IPL has changed quite a few things. The cricket is still competitive but the verbals and the sledging is not nasty anymore. It has become a game of mutual respect and admiration. Still, you can say that they have the same hunger.”

He further added, “The stuff which was too intense and things that created tension between the teams has significantly gone down, that’s what I have experienced this year but not the competitiveness.”

On Tuesday, March 21, AB de Villiers hosted his good friend and colleague from RCB- Kohli- for a podcast where the duo had several conversations. Virat Kohli revealed his first meeting with his wife Anushka Sharma, the best runner between the wickets he has had, as well as the worst.

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But speaking further about India vs Australia rivalry on the field, Kohli further added: “I think it is a nice thing forward, it is progressive and if the tensions rise in tournaments like World Cups, you see that anyway. So, I think it is nice to have camaraderie among the players. It is fun to be competitive and not with nastiness.”