Outgoing India captain MS Dhoni warned players from his side and Australia to “back off” after the four-Test series began overheating in Melbourne.

Virat Kohli, who will replace Dhoni as skipper for the fourth and final Test in Sydney, was involved in a handful of spiteful confrontations with Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin at the MCG.

There was no vitriolic send-off for Kohli, who was booed to the crease by some sections of the crowd and had numerous clashes with Australia throughout the series.

But umpire Kumar Dharmasena had a word with Steve Smith and David Warner soon after, as ill-feeling between the sides continued to bubble.

A total of four misconduct fines were dished out in the opening two Tests and there’s expected to be more issued when match referee Roshan Mahanama reviews the MCG bout.

It is no longer Dhoni’s concern, but the skipper has done his part to reduce simmering tensions.

“That needs to be done from both sides and at individual level,” Dhoni said.

“The players should be addressed (and told) `please don’t cross the boundary, play it in good spirit’.

“I have just told my players not to abuse anyone, because that’s definitely something that is unacceptable.

“Depending on the situation, one of the individuals will have to back off whether it’s from our side or their side.

“We should follow the norms and if sledging goes on for five days there will be harsher words.”

However, Dhoni added he didn’t “really see a problem” in the heated clashes during the third Test.

“In this game the temperature was high, as it’s been throughout the series,” he said.

“It’s good for the spectators … they love if they opposition are having a go at each other.

“But at the same time, as international cricketers we know the boundaries and the players should fall within the boundaries and respect the privacy of the opposition.”

Kohli was part of the Indian contingent that gave Johnson a vocal send-off on day four, while he also offered Haddin some unsolicited advice.

Kohli made a beeline for 37-year-old Haddin when the wicketkeeper walked out to bat with the game in the balance on Monday.

As Haddin asked for and marked centre, a chirpy Kohli shadowed the batsman in a fashion more commonly associated with AFL taggers at the venue.

Haddin returned serve on Tuesday, prancing over to Kohli and applauding his running between the wickets after a mix-up almost resulted in a run-out.