'Should we bring mid-on up if you plan to go into IPL mode,' Finch reveals more banter with Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia have witnessed subtle and good spirited sledging between both the sides and one more was added to the list on Thursday.

While things got heated up in the second Test in Perth between the captains, Virat Kohli and Tim Paine, this time around the Aussie skipper has so far managed to mess around with the opponents with funny banters. 

The latest banter happened between Paine and Indian batsman Rohit Sharma on Day two of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.

However, Rohit ensured he kept his composure and did not get carried away.

Finch, later on after stumps, admitted that Australia tried to distract Rohit as he told media," We were just trying to have a bit of banter with Rohit. I asked Rohit if we brought mid-on up if he'd take us on and go into IPL mode and he didn't take the bait, unfortunately. It was just a bit of good fun, a bit of banter. It was a long time out there.”

Earlier, the stump microphone caught Paine trying to sledge Rohit as the former loudly chatted to the fielder at short-leg, Aaron Finch, about IPL when Rohit was about to face the next ball. 

Paine told Finch that it was 'a toss-up between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at this time'. He added, "If Rohit hits a six here, I'm changing to Mumbai Indians."

Paine continued to sledge Rohit for a few overs but the Mumbai skipper just kept smiling throughout the banter. 

"Too many Poms at the Royals," Paine said, referring to Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler playing for the Rajasthan franchise.

"You've nearly played for every team now," Paine continued.

"Except Bangalore," Finch replied.

"Except Bangalore?" Paine questioned.

At stumps of Day two on Thursday, Australia were 8 for no loss and trailed India by 435 runs. Earlier, Indians declared their first innings at 443 for 7 in 169.4 overs. Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 63.