Marnus Labuschagne Picks Jasprit Bumrah As The Hardest Indian Bowler To Counter

Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s latest run-machine, has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler to counter among the Indian pace-bowling unit.

Labuschagne, who played a solitary Test against India in the last series back in 2018-19, will be one of the players to watch out in the upcoming rubber in December-January.

Labuschagne has grown by leaps and bounds since that New Year Test against India in early 2019. Since then, he has racked up 1340 runs in just 11 Tests at an average of 74.44 which also includes four hundreds and eight half-centuries. He was also named one of the five Wisden Player of the Year in 2019.

“They are all good bowlers but it is hard to get past Jasprit Bumrah. 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,” Marnus Labuschagne told PTI.

“Jasprit is probably the leader of that attack”- Marnus Labuschagne

Jasprit Bumrah was instrumental in India taking a decisive 2-1 lead in the 4-match series in 2018-19. The right-hander claimed 6-33 at the MCG and finished the series as the joint-highest wicket-taker [21 wickets at 17].

And, Marnus Labuschagne is looking forward to testing himself against the best in the world and ‘the leader of the Indian pace attack’ Jasprit Bumrah.

“You always want to test yourself against the best. Jasprit is probably the leader of that attack,” said Labuschagne.

The 26-year-old also heaped high praise on Ishant Sharma, who he feels has been at the top of his mark in the past two years. Ishant claimed 11 wickets in 3 Tests of the 2018-19 series.

“Ishant has been very good during the last couple of years. Coming over here and angling the ball back into right handers, that would be a good challenge for us also,” said one of the most talked-about young players in world cricket right now,” he said.

The second season for any cricketer is always tough and Labuschagne is aware of it. He is, however, hopeful that the second season is better than the first.

“In terms of a great first year, it was an amazing summer and hopefully, I can better that this time. Hopefully, against a side like India, testing yourself against one of the best bowling attacks in world cricket at the moment,” he said.