Acting captain Adam Gilchrist has told outspoken Indian Sreesanth the Australians are planning to fight fire with fire following the touring side's spiteful 84-run victory in Cochin.

The match threatened to boil over on numerous occasions with Sreesanth having a running verbal battle with Andrew Symonds during the Australian innings.

They were not the only players to lose their cool with fiery off-spinner Harbhajan Singh pointing his bat at the Australians following his dismissal as India succumbed for 222 in reply to Australia's 6-306 off 50 overs.

"I saw some really hard-fought cricket and there were comments between different players and that happens," Gilchrist said.

"I also saw some things that I would not expect from my son Harrison in a backyard game of cricket, but we'll move on."

Gilchrist said his men wouldn't back down against the young firebrand.

"Sreesanth has been quite outspoken about taking the challenge up to us, he has said a lot of stuff in the press, we have seen it.

"Everyone has seen it, that is fine. We are not questioning that. But when we get our chance we will play aggressive cricket as well, simple as that."

Man of the match Brad Haddin (87no from 69 balls) also had a crack at Sreesanth's antics having been eye-balled by him and watched the contest with Symonds from close range.

"There is a fine line I think between stupidity and spirited cricket ... so you can judge for yourself," he said.

The match between the best 50 over a side in the world and the newly-crowned Twenty20 world champions was always going to have added spice attached to it.

But few could have expected the heated exchanges between Symonds (87 off 83 balls) and Sreesanth (3-67 off nine overs) which are expected to come under scrutiny from match officials.

Tempers became frayed in the 45th over of Australia's innings after hometown hero Sreesanth got right in Haddin's face after following a ball that Haddin had hit just a few metres down the pitch.

Symonds took exception to the treatment of his batting partner and approached him to express his thoughts before the cheeky Kerala bowler threw the ball into the stumps at the non-striker's end.

It appeared the hulking allrounder might be in some strife but skipper Mahendra Dhoni came up and pushed Sreesanth away to defuse the situation in the seaside city.

They continued the slanging match from a distance and their rivalry in this series and the upcoming summer in Australia could become one of the major talking points.

The pair could face off in another five one-dayers in India as well as four Tests and the tri-series in Australia in the coming months.

Sreesanth had the last laugh on this occasion, removing Symonds for the second time in two matches.

The Kerala Kid did receive some later goodwill from the Australians after a shot from batting partner Mahendra Dhoni crashed into the side of his helmet late in the match.

Symonds was not one of those concerned for his welfare, remaining in the outfield as the quick ended the match with a splitting headache.

Meanwhile Singh, renowned for being one of the biggest hotheads in world cricket, became angered after he was stumped as India's innings petered out.

He turned to the Australians who had huddled mid-pitch and stopped for a moment before pointing his bat at the tourists and then striding off.

The dramas overshadowed the brilliant knock of Haddin as Australia claimed a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series before Friday's match in Hyderabad.

Brimming with confidence following his 69 in the washed-out opener in Bangalore, the right-hander's pulsating innings strengthened his case for a regular gig as a specialist batsman.

Ricky Ponting is expected to return for Friday's third match in Hyderabad and either Haddin or Brad Hodge are expected to make way for the skipper.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP