Virat Kohli vs Tim Paine — 2018/19 Test Series

The 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw a fascinating personal rivalry develop between captains Virat Kohli and Tim Paine. During the 2nd Test in Perth, Kohli deliberately shoulder-bumped Paine while running between the wickets, leading to a charge by the ICC and a fine.

The verbal exchanges were relentless. Paine sledged Kohli throughout, at one point telling him "You're the best player in the world and you're just wasting your energy." Paine also attempted to get under Kohli's skin with comments about his personality, reportedly describing him as the most immature captain he'd played against.

Despite the sledging, Kohli had the last laugh as India won the series 2-1 — their first ever Test series victory on Australian soil. Kohli's performances and his refusal to back down from the verbal battles defined the series. The rivalry between the two captains added extra spice to an already intense contest and provided numerous memorable on-field moments. Kohli was fined for the shoulder bump but was otherwise unpunished despite the constant verbal jousting.