Virat Kohli was the top run-getter in the three-match Test series against South Africa in January this year (Reuters Photo)

South African captain Faf du Plessis offered tips to Australia ahead of their big-ticket clashes against India: avoid confrontation with Virat Kohli and give him "silent treatment".

Du Plessis on Friday said that his team gave India captain Kohli the "silent treatment" in an attempt to keep him quiet when the two teams squared off earlier this year.

"There are guys like that in international cricket (who enjoy the confrontation). We feel like that when we play against someone like Virat Kohli, he wants to get into the fight," the Proteas skipper said.

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Du Plessis' South Africa beat India 2-1 in the series but Kohli emerged as the top run-getter with an aggregate of 286 from three Tests at an average of 47.66.

"There's one or two guys in each team around the world that we as a team discuss before playing against them. We're like, 'better not say too much to him because you'll get him going'."

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Kohli has been in imperious form throughout the year. The world no 1 Test batsman notched up 593 runs against England in the five-match series and followed that up with three back-to-back hundreds against the West Indies in the One-day International series.

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Du Plessis said, "He's an amazing player. We gave him the silent treatment and he still scored runs in South Africa, but we felt like it was not huge runs he scored the one hundred there in Centurion when the wicket was slow.

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"So every team will have what they think works for us, that was silent treatment."

Meanwhile, Kohli on Thursday promised not to go out looking for trouble but in the same breath he added the Indian team will retaliate if Australia play dirty down under starting this month.

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"When it comes to getting engaged in an argument on the field, I have been completely okay playing without an altercation. I have enough belief in my abilities.. those were very immature things I used to feed on when I was younger," Kohli said at India's pre-departure press conference.

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"Now being captain of the team, you do not have time to think of anything else apart from what the team needs."

Kohli, in his presser, claimed that the Indian team never starts a sledging game and his players only fight back when they are provoked.

"We were always the ones giving it back. As long as it does not start, we will not go out looking for anything but we will reciprocate.

"I know from the management point of view, things are explained of what the team needs. As long as it does not start, we are okay with it. In our own minds, we have to be competitive and not let our focus drop," the 30-year-old said.

(With PTI inputs)