Virat Kohli’s onfield antics made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the second cricket Test, but Australian paceman Mitchell Starc says there’s more to the decisive Indian captain than meets the eye.

Kohli’s conduct was always going to be a talking point throughout the four-Test series, level at 1-1 after topsy-turvy contests in Adelaide and Perth.

The prolific batsman was a near-constant presence in the headlines during the second Test.

He failed to acknowledge the crowd after a tremendous century, swapped barbs with Tim Paine and shook his counterpart’s hand in such perfunctory fashion that it hinted at genuine bad blood.

Former Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson accused the superstar of being “disrespectful”, while Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar was highly critical of Kohli’s captaincy.

Kohli and Paine get up close and personal in Perth. Photo: AAP

But Starc, who previously shared a dressing room with the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper during the Indian Premier League, has nothing but respect for the combative batsman.

“I’ve played a couple of IPLs with Virat and he’s been fantastic to play under, as a captain,” Starc told reporters. “Obviously, he’s a fantastic player.

“The way India play this series and go about their cricket, it’s up to them.”

India coach Ravi Shastri bristled when asked about his captain’s behaviour.

“Fantastic – why, what’s wrong with his behaviour?” Shastri asked.

“People can question; as far as we’re concerned, he’s an absolute gentleman.”

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden suggested Kohli played the game in a way Australians would recognise.

“He plays the game in a very competitive spirit. He is very animated; very passionate; very emotional,” Hayden told the Mumbai Mirror.

“A lot of Australians at all levels of sport play the game like that.

“As long as there is a line, and I don’t think Virat has crossed that … everything has remained on the field.”

Shastri also had no issue with local broadcasters highlighting a heated exchange between teammates Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in Perth.

“I’m never surprised by any coverage. Bring it on – it’s as simple as that,” he said.

-with AAP