Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Credits: Twitter)

Last Update on: January 20th, 2020 at 10:16 am

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After impressing in Test cricket, Marnus Labuschagne took to one-day cricket like a duck to water. The right-handed batsman had a stunning 2019 with the bat in Tests as he broke into the top five of ICC Test rankings. His love affair with Test cricket started in last year’s Ashes when he hit four fifties in a row after replacing Steve Smith as a concussion substitute.

In the home season, he scored a staggering 896 runs in just 5 Tests with the help of four centuries and three fifties. And he has started his ODI career in the same manner. After not getting a chance to bat on his debut, he finally got his chance with the bat in the second ODI against India and he impressed straightaway.

Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne (Credits: Twitter)

Selected at No.4, Labuschagne scored a quick 46 off 47 at Rajkot. On Sunday, he impressed again during the third ODI in Bengaluru. On a tough pitch, he showed remarkable maturity and composure to score his first ODI fifty before falling to a spectacular catch from Virat Kohli at extra cover. He also added a crucial 127 runs with Steve Smith although the effort went in vain as India won the game by seven wickets to win the series 2-1.

Also Read: India vs Australia, 2020, ODI Series: India Players’ Performance Ratings

‘Like a bunny on the field’:

After the game ended, Virat Kohli spoke at length about Marnus Labuschagne and heaped praise on him. It all started when a journalist asked Virat Kohli whether he learned anything about the Australia batting sensation that India could use next year when they tour Down Under. In reply, Virat Kohli hilariously pointed out the stunning catch he took to dismiss Labuschagne, saying: “Just stay at cover and catch the ball when he hits in the air.”

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The India skipper further proceeded by lavishing praise on the youngster. Virat Kohli said that Labuschagne has got the right mindset to be a top player in the world. He then went on to compare the right-handed batsman with a bunny because of the energy he brings on the field.

“He’s a quality player. We were talking outside, he’s very sure of what he wants to do. Again, body language, intent, he’s there, he’s running hard between the wickets, he wants the ball (in the field).  He wants to be in the important positions in the field,” said Virat Kohli.

He’s got the right mindset to be a consistent player, to be a top player in the world for a while. He’s shown that in Test cricket, he’s shown that in one-day cricket and if he plays T20 cricket, I am sure he’ll show that clarity there as well. He looks like a complete team man. He’s always and always energetic. He’s like a bunny running around,” added Kohli.