Australia captain Tim Paine insists he doesn't find Virat Kohli annoying, but the pair's heated rivalry is set to be the dominant side plot when the series shifts to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test.
Paine and Kohli engaged in a number of tit-for-tat moments throughout the second Test at Perth Stadium, with Australia having the last laugh as they cruised to a 146-run win to level the series at 1-1.
The two skippers were ordered to keep their cool by the umpires in Perth, but it didn't stop them from taking cheeky digs at each other.
During one incident, Kohli got in the way of Paine as the Australian was completing a run, with the two players coming chest to chest.
Paine's sledge to batsman Murali Vijay later in the match summed up Australia's dislike for Kohli.
"I know he's your captain but you can't seriously like him as a bloke," Paine said.
Both captains moved to downplay the rivalry after the match, declaring no lines had been crossed.
But the simmering tension is set to flow over to the MCG, especially with the series still up for grabs.
When asked whether Kohli was annoying, Paine was diplomatic in his response.
"Not to me, no. I love it," Paine said.
"I enjoy watching him, I always have. I think he brings out the competitive spirit in a lot of people, which I think is great, and I'm sure it was great to watch."
So did the two players actually make contact when they came chest to chest?
"I don't think we did touch to be honest. We got pretty close," Paine said.
Kohli engaged in a heated war with some Australian players during a bitter 2014 Test series between the two countries.
He felt the current series has been played in much better spirit.
"It's definitely nothing compared to 2014 to be honest," Kohli said.
"But look, it stays on the field whatever happens. As long as there's no swearing out there on the field, and there's no personal attacks, the line doesn't get crossed.
Australia had been criticised in recent times for being too nice in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.
Paine feels the team has started to find a better balance, and was proud of their conduct in the second Test.
The 34-year-old said it was important for players to realise when to "stick up for your mates" and not "be walked all over".
Australia coach Justin Langer felt the Paine-Kohli battle was carried out in the right manner.
"I don't think at any point there was any abuse, there was no real aggro to it," Langer told Cricket 360.
"There was actually a bit of Aussie humour ... and I like that. That's what we pride ourselves on.
"We've got a bad reputation in a lot of ways, but if there's a bit of humour in it ... I think it was a good exchange."
