Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has predicted an on-field physical confrontation unless cricket officials urgently address the issue of sledging.

Mitchell Johnson’s dismissal late on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG prompted another angry exchange with the Indians.

The Australian turned and gestured to them as he left the field.

Indian star Virat Kohli was then seen talking the umpires.

Kohli argued with Johnson on day three as the Indian top-scored with 169.

Kohli did not hold back in his post-play media conference after day three either, making it clear he had no respect for Johnson.

In a column for Mumbai’s Mid-Day newspaper, Chappell said the on-field blowups had gone too far.

“The more players talk on the field, the more likelihood there is something personal will be said,” Chappell wrote.

“If something personal is said at the wrong time there will eventually be an altercation on the field.

“When that happens it will be players who are punished and as is almost always the case, the administrators will escape scot-free, despite being guilty of allowing the problem to escalate to this point.”

Chappell is worried about what might happen if a blowup goes beyond angry words.

“Apart from the danger of an altercation on the field – and if you don’t think that could be ugly, just remember one player has a bat in his hand – there is the simple matter of the batsman being entitled to peace and quiet while he’s out in the middle,” he said.

Former Indian player Ajit Agarkar criticised Kohli for what he said in the media conference.

“It’s very surprising a player has gone into the press conference and said that – it shows a little bit of immaturity,” Agarkar said on the ESPNcricinfo website.

“He’s done the talking with the bat, he didn’t need to do anything else.”