In the last few years, Australia versus India clashes have witnessed intense verbal exchanges and former Indian cricketers, Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar, want to see a bit of needling in the ongoing series Down Under.

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According to Agarkar, there have been a "few too many" smiles between the two sides. His comments came after Matthew Wade made a friendly remark to Shikhar Dhawan after the Indian opener escaped a stumping chance by a whisker.

"I am not Dhoni, not quick enough like Dhoni," stump mic caught Wade saying the same to Dhawan during the 2nd T20I on December 6.

Wade’s words left Dhawan with a big smile as the series continued to be played in good spirits.

"He was right, he is not as quick as MS Dhoni. But yeah, it's all changed. There have been a few too many smiles for my liking. You want to see a little bit of needling without people going overboard," Agarkar told Sony Six after India's 5-wicket victory at SCG.

Sharing his two cents on the same, Manjrekar said Aussies are no more the 'mean' side as they are keen on changing their outlook following the ball-tampering scandal in 2018. He also believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had a role in it.   

"There are two reasons. One is the Australian cricket culture has changed and they want to change that because of what happened due to the sandpaper gate. That's playing on the players' mind and they want to change that. Secondly, T20 and 50-overs cricket, they take it a little lightly. IPL has had an impact in various areas of the cricket world.

"Let's wait for the Test matches, that's when it will get intense. I am with Ajit, we don't want to see Australia sledging and extremely sort of combative on the field. Let's have the mean Australians of the past. Just makes for a better contest," Manjrekar remarked.

With this victory, Team India also took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

The third and final T20I will be played in Sydney on Tuesday (December 8).