Watch: Tim Paine sledges Rohit Sharma with 'epic' IPL banter and Twitter is loving it

Australian crickters have been famous (read infamous) for their power to unsettle opposition thorugh their sledging. While bad-mouthing your opponents may not be 'kosher' in the PG era after the ball-tampering scandal, the art of sledging lives on.

While Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant has led India's charge, Tim Paine has been Australia's captain in the 'war of words' too. However, unlike the sledging of yesteryear's Australian cricketers, Paine seems to take the subtle way. 

During the second day of the third Test match at MCG, Paine was caught on the stump microphone trying to sledge Rohit Sharma. Paine loudly chatted to the fielder at short-leg about IPL while Rohit Sharma was about to face the next ball. 

Tim Paine was talking about which team he is going to support in the Indian Premier League. He told Aaron Finch at short-leg 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". 

Tim Paine bantering up a storm right now 

FOLLOW LIVE https://t.co/0L1sS1X2x0 pic.twitter.com/1OMiKwvUif

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) December 27, 2018

Paine's comments behind the stumps went on for a few overs with Rohit, the Mumbai Indians captain, breaking into a smile every now and then.

"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.

Paine's comments were noticed by the fans and soon they were all over social media talking about it with some calling it 'epic'. Even some Indian fans were impressed by the banter from the Australian captain.

All of us to Tim Paine right now: #CricketMeriJaan #AUSvIND

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 27, 2018

Absolutely engrossing period of play, Rohit Sharma focussing hard as Nathan Lyon tries to weave a web around him n Tim Paine chirping away from behind. great watching. Who says Test cricket is dead. has been d most tlkd abt series than any IPL r ODI game #AUSvIND #BoxingDayTest

— Sanjjeev (@Sanjjeev) December 27, 2018

"Rohit hits a six here, I'm changing to Mumbai Indians"

Oh Tim Paine, you are the opposition captain but we seriously can't hate your banter. #AUSvIND

— Manya (@CSKian716) December 27, 2018

Tim Paine's sledging is seriously
Come on, Rohit. Hit that six! #AUSvIND

— Sonali Dhulap (@pillya) December 27, 2018

Loving Tim Paine behind the stumps... He just started to whistle #AUSvsIND

— Aravind V (@IamChefGamer) December 27, 2018

Tim Paine’s chatter behind the stumps is Epic He’s talking about who he’s fav IPL team between Mumbai and I guess RCB is ..#AUSvIND @SPNSportsIndia

— Jason Dsouza (@jdnats) December 27, 2018

Paine was caught on the stump microphone attempting a sledge of his opposite number, Virat Kohli during second Test match. He did not say anything to Kohli himself but delivered a message to Murali Vijay: "I know he's your captain but you can't seriously like him as a bloke."