The stock of Marnus Labuschagne has grown by leaps and bounds in the longest format of the game. Although he is just 14 matches old, the batsman has already made his name as the next big thing in Test cricket, drawing comparison to veterans like Steven Smith and Virat Kohli.
In those 14 matches, Labuschagne raked up 1459 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 63.43 which includes four centuries and eight half-centuries.
The stylish right-handed batsman played a solitary Test against India in Sydney during the 2018-19 series. With such a terrific outing in 2019, a lot will be expected from Labuschagne when India tours Australia for a four-match Test series in December this year.
In his recent interview with PTI, the South African-born has revealed the toughest bowler to face in the Indian team. For Labuschagne, unsurprisingly, it is Jasprit Bumrah.
“They are all good bowlers but it is hard to get past Jasprit Bumrah,” the 26-year-old said.
“He has the ability to consistently bowl around 140 kmph and swing the ball when conditions are suitable. He is also able to angle the ball back in at the stumps. You always want to test yourself against the best. Jasprit is probably the leader of that attack,” he added.
Bumrah played a crucial role in India’s historic triumph over Australia in the 2018-19 series, and in the entire tour, Aussie batsmen looked clueless in front of him.
Labuschagne also talked highly of Ishant Sharma and said that facing the senior pacer too would be a challenging task.
“He has the ability to consistently bowl around 140 kmph and swing the ball when conditions are suitable. He is also able to angle the ball back in at the stumps. You always want to test yourself against the best. Jasprit is probably the leader of that attack,” Labuschagne concluded.
