"On a personal level, I don't need to go and find these things [altercations or arguments] anymore. I can play without pumping myself up," said Kohli on the eve of team's departure to Australia yesterday. There is good reason for Australia to be wary of sledging Kohli this time. With 11 Test series victories under his belt since the 0-2 loss in Australia, Kohli said: "I am completely okay to play without an altercation. I am very happy to play in my own space."

The India captain said he realised that it was immature on his part to get involved in altercations during his early days. "Those were very immature things that I would feed on in my early days. Now, being the captain of the Indian team, you literally have no room apart from thinking at all times what the team want," he said. Clashes between India and Australia have never been short of drama.

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Though Kohli & Co want cricket to be the focus, the skipper warned that his team will not hold back if the Australians start shooting from lips. "We were never the ones starting it. As long as it does not start, we don't mind focussing on our game and doing what we need to do. We don't necessarily need to look out for them [fights]. If they want to play in a certain way, we will reciprocate. We will not let our intensity drop," Kohli said.

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