Virat Kohli-Mitchell Johnson verbal volleys continue at the MCG

Melbourne: A day after expressing his displeasure at Australia's on-field banter, India vice-captain Virat Kohli on Monday once again had a go at Mitchell Johnson and apparently said something to the home team's pace spearhead as he was walking off after being dismissed.

The incident transpired in the 68th over of Australia's second innings when Johnson was dismissed by Mohammed Shami following which Kohli was seen speaking to the batsman.

In return Johnson also had something to say but it was not clear whether his talk was directed at Kohli or was a complaint to the umpires as the two on-field officials did have a word with the Indian after that.

The hosts put themselves in a comfortable position by taking an overall lead of 326 runs by the end of fourth day's play as the third Test headed for an exciting finish.

Never the one to shy away from an on-field showdown, the feisty Kohli had said on Sunday that being called a "spoilt brat" by the Australians brought the best out of him as he smashed a career-best 169-run knock.

"It was going on throughout the day. They were calling me a spoilt brat and I said 'maybe that's the way I am. You guys hate me and I like that'. I don't mind having a chat on the field and it worked in my favour I guess," a combative Kohli had said at the end of third day's play.