Virat Kohli, David Warner Reignite Fire Down Under in IPL 8

Virat Kohli and David Warner barely exchanged pleasantries ahead of their Indian Premier League clash at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday evening. Kohli and Warner were involved in nasty verbal duels during the India versus Australia Test series before the World Cup Down Under. It seems the bitterness still hasn't ended. (Points Table | Fixtures)

Captains usually exchange pleasantries when they walk out to toss before a match. Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, probably hasn't forgotten the mouthful he got from the Australians during the Test series. Kohli's demeanour amply suggested he hadn't forgotten the sledging he and other Indian players were subjected to. Warner, the Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper, looked relatively calm. (Watch: Virat Kohli is The New-Age Indian, Says Dean Jones)

Former Pakistan captain and TV commentator Rameez Raja, who was at the Chinnaswamy pitch-side during toss, was quick to spot Kohli's hard expressions and threw the question: "You and Warner have been going at each other in the last three-four months. Have things cooled off now?"

The question caught Kohli by surprise but like his sizzling cover drives, the angry young man of Indian cricket responded: "We are easy off the pitch but will play hard on it... Like to compete." The message was clear as Kohli did a quick about turn, barely shook hands with Warner and walked back briskly to the pavilion. (Kohli is India's Future, Says Ganguly)

Kohli has been in rampaging mood in recent times. He hit out against critics who blamed girlfriend Anushka Sharma for his World Cup failure. Warner got a feel of Kohli's mood at Chinnaswamy. The Aussie will surely love to do his bat do all the talking.