We Have Nothing But Respect For Team India: Marnus Labuschagne

Australian middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne hailed the efforts of the Indian batsmen as they managed to eke out a draw by batting four sessions in the fourth innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against a world-class bowling attack.

India after being set an almost unsurmountable target of 407, batted out an enormous 131 overs to draw the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, which stands level at 1-1 – the fourth and last Test of the series will be played at The Gabba commencing on 15th January.

Marnus Labuschagne, who is currently the leading run-scorer of the series, applauds India’s batsmen as they showed a great deal of determination and accept that their bowlers couldn’t have done more than they did to breach the resistance of the visitors. The 26-year-old, taking nothing away from the Indian batters, observed that the pitch didn’t deteriorate as they expected it to.

“They batted well, they grinded well, and I think we couldn’t have changed much. . You have respect for the opposition and you respect the way they play. It’s Test cricket. No one that’s playing Test cricket just lets it go,” Marnus Labuschagne told cricket.com.au.

“They all show heart because they’re playing for their country. A day five SCG wicket usually has a little more rough, a little bit more inconsistent bounce, but when a team blocks out 131 overs, that’s fair play to them,” he added.

We had to go to the Gabba and win: Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne, who hit twin fifties in Sydney, points out that Australia has to win the last Test in Brisbane if they have to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, otherwise, India, who won the previous series will retain the trophy. He hopes that their bowlers can breach India’s batting at The Gabba, which will have extra bounce compared to the SCG.

“We played a (drawn) Test match today but it’s a Test series and we’re here to win. Regardless of the result of this game, if we won or it was a draw, we had to go to the Gabba and win. So nothing’s changed for us it’s a matter of changing our focus and making sure we take them down at the Gabba,” Marnus Labuschagne stated.

Also Read: No Idea Why He Made Up Everything: Misbah-ul-Haq Hits Back At Mohammad Amir