Virat Kohli seems to have left an indelible mark on Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who says he will “always remember” the Indian skipper for being the world’s best batsman, capable of also getting under the opposition’s skin with his competitiveness.

Kohli and Paine have had a fiery rivalry which goes back to India’s 2018-19 tour of Australia. Their on-field spats were an interesting sub-plot during the historic showdown in which India became the first Asian country to win a Test series Down Under.

“For Virat Kohli, I’ve said many times, he seems like the type of player you would love to have on your team. He is competitive. He is the best batsman in the world,” the 36-year-old Paine said on the ‘Gilly and Goss’ podcast.

“He (Kohli) is challenging to play against and he can get under your skin because he is so good and he is so competitive.

“But yeah, sharing a feud with him four years ago, he is certainly someone I will always remember.”