Virat Kohli is waging war against Australia on and off the field after a fiery day where the century-maker accused the hosts of labelling him a "spoilt brat" and disrespecting him.

Not content to let his bat do the talking after a career-best 169 which thrust his team back into the third Test, the India vice-captain returned Australia's verbal barrage with one of his own on Sunday night as tensions between the two sides again simmered.

Showing his trademark confidence and brashness, Kohli took aim at Mitchell Johnson after playing a key role in giving the left-armer one of the worst pastings of his career.

He also goaded the Australians, accusing the hosts of having a short fuse and being front runners who were full of lip when on top but lacking voice when the going was tough.

The pugnacious batsman was unhappy with his treatment from Johnson after being struck on the body by a throw in an incident which sparked an angry exchange between the pair. Umpire Richard Kettleborough stepped in to placate a fired up Kohli.

Kohli believed Johnson's throw was unnecessary though the bowler was attempting a run out after seeing the batsman leave his crease at the striker's end. Johnson was immediately apologetic but his contrition was ignored.

"I told him 'that's not on, try to hit the stumps next time, not my body'," Kohli said.

Kohli poked the bear and lived to tell the tale though he came perilously close to losing his wicket the following over from Johnson.

"Yeah, but I didn't," Kohli later said.

Kohli also antagonised Johnson by blowing him kisses after hitting him for four.

"They were calling me a spoilt brat. I said "maybe that's the way I am and I know you guys hate me and I like that"," Kohli said.

"I didn't mind having a chat on the field. It worked in my favour, I guess.

"I like playing against Australia because it's very hard for them to stay calm. I don't mind an argument on the field. It really excites me and brings the best out of me. They don't seem to be learning the lesson.

"When we played in India there were not so many words coming back from them, which is very surprising.

"We are 2-0 down and we still took them on today and showed what we can do with the bat, which is the character of this Indian team."

Although the Indian Premier League has helped mend relations between Australia and India after the infamous Sydney Test of 2008, Kohli gave a reminder of how volatile the relationship is.

"I respect a few of them but if someone doesn't respect me I've got no reason to respect them. There were words in Adelaide," Kohli said.

"I'm out here to play cricket not to earn anyone's respect. As long as I'm scoring runs I'm happy with it. If you like it, good, if you don't I'm not bothered.

"I don't really care what they think as far as respecting me or me respecting them. I've got a nice friendship with a few of them ... but someone who is saying anything that comes to mouth I don't respect."

Ryan Harris said Australia did respect Kohli and was disappointed what happened on the field did not stay on the field.

"There's a bit of banter on the field but if that doesn't stay out there and comes up here, he needs to have a look at that," Harris said.

The Indians paid a high price in Brisbane for taunting Johnson, who proved the match-winner with bat and ball, but Kohli is refusing to step away from a fight with Australia's pace bowling ace.

This was only the third occasion in Johnson's 64-Test career that he had passed the 100-run mark without taking a wicket, and the first in four years.

The last time Johnson was subjected to such punishment — at the Gabba in the first Test of the 2010-11 Ashes — he was sent away for remedial work on his action and dropped.

"His job is bowl and get wickets and he was going at 4.7 an over today," Kohli said.

"He didn't get a wicket throughout the day and I knew – I back myself that I can take him on, even if I keep talking to him."