Marnus Labuschagne Was A Completely Different Batsman Before And After The Lunch: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar heaps rich praises for Marnus Labuschagne after the latter notched up his fifth Test hundred on Day 1 of the ongoing fourth and last Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India in Brisbane.

Labuschagne has been in supreme form since he came into the side as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes. Since Aug 2019, the 26-year-old has scored most runs in Test cricket – 1650 – at an average of 75; better than Steve Smith, better than Ben Stokes, and Kane Williamson, who all the best of the batters in recent times.

After scoring heaps of runs in the home summer last year – 4 tons and 3 fifties in 5 matches – he is shining once again for the hosts in the current series against India. The right-hander is the leading run-scorer in the series; 401 runs at an average of 57 and is the only batsmen across both sides to average more than 50 in the 4 Tests.

Marnus Labuschagne rode the bad times and cashed in later: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar observes Labuschagne’s knock at the Gabba. He points out that the batsman had two different kinds of modes before and after lunch. After Australia lost both the openers, Labuschagne and Steve Smith steadied the innings.

While Smith was fluent in his strokeplay against an inexperienced Indian attack, Labuschagne struggled for runs and wasn’t quite as free-flowing as he always is. Going into lunch, Australia’s number 3 had scored 19 runs from 82 balls. However, after lunch, Smith was dismissed, and Labuschagne and Matthew Wade scored runs freely.

“I think before lunch his (Labuschagne) body shape was a little bit tense, he wasn’t quite moving in into the drive, or even when he was looking to play the defensive shot, he was not quite balanced. But after lunch, he was looking a lot better, standing up and driving well on this surface. Because on this surface you really cannot drive, because of the extra bounce, and he looked good,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sony Sports Networks.

Sunil Gavaskar says that Marnus Labuschagne survived the first session – he was dropped by Ajinkya Rahane – and then cashed on his good work later in the day. The former India opener also points out that Marnus Labuschagne missed his tons in Sydney; he got out on 91 and 73. Australia finished the day at 274/5.

“And like all good batsmen if they get an opportunity of a missed catch or if they are playing and missing, he rode the bad times, waited for good times to come, and then he cashed in. He deserved a hundred because he missed out twice before,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

Also Read: Mark Waugh And Shane Warne Lambast Rishabh Pant For His Constant Chatter Behind The Stumps