The verbal duel between the Indian and Australian cricketers continued on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test match which is being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

On Saturday, despite Australia’s batting collapse, the Aussie duo of Pat Cummins (61*) and Nathan Lyon (6) kept the Indian team at bay with the help of their 43-run stand for the ninth wicket. After the Indian bowlers were frustrated by Cummins and Lyon, young Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant tried to distract the Australian off-spinner with his verbal banter in the last session of the day.

“C’mon Gary, you don’t want to come tomorrow (Day 5) for nothing,” Rishabh Pant was heard saying on the stump mic.

After Pant’s remark, Lyon looked into Delhi keeper-batsman’s direction and asked him what he was trying to say. And when Pant repeated the same remark, Lyon said, “I can’t understand you” followed by “I like you too Rishabh.”

After Nathan Lyon roasted Rishabh Pant, Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who was fielding at the leg slip, joined the conversation and jokingly said to Pant, “Dil pe baat lag gayi lagta hai (he took offence to your words probably).”

However, it was not the first time when Pant was caught sledging the Aussie batters from behind the stump mic. Rishabh Pant has also sledged the Australian skipper Tim Paine from the same position earlier.

“Have you ever heard of a temporary captain, Mayank? Only thing Paine can do is talking, talking,” Pant was heard saying from behind the stumps on Day Four.

“We have got a special guest today. Have you ever heard the word ‘temporary captain?’ You don’t need anything to get him out,” Pant further added.

Interestingly, during India’s second innings, Tim Paine had tried to get under Rishabh Pant’s skin by saying, “Tell you what big MS (Dhoni) is back in the one-day squad. Should get this bloke down to (Hobart) Hurricanes (in Big Bash League). They need a batter. Fancy that extend your Aussie holiday, beautiful town Hobart too… get him a waterfront apartment.”

“Have him over for dinner. Do you babysit? I can take my wife to the movies while you watch the kids.”