Marnus Labuschagne is excited to play ‘chess’ with R Ashwin in next month’s test series, and his thoughts have been on the challenge since the last meeting between the teams ended.
This rivalry between the two of him is one of Australia’s epic duels in his 2020-21 series, which India famously won in the Gabba. Ashwin removed Labuchagne twice in six innings with nearly equal honors in a neck-and-neck race before Ashwin missed an important test.
This is Rabshanyu’s first test tour in India and he made his ODI debut in India in early 2020. In his four games starting at Nagpur 9, he has long had plans for how to deal with Ashwin, a key figure in his series. . February.
“Since [the last series], I’ve already started thinking about it,” said Labuchagne. “Based on what I heard about Ashwin and the way he bowled me, I made some changes to my game. I adjusted my game to thwart some of his ideas and tactics. So it’s going to be a great chess game and I can’t wait.”
Rabshanyu’s testing experience in the subcontinent comes from his five recent matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The highlight came in his second Test at goal to mark his century, but his dismissal for 104 came at a crucial time as Australia lost a strong position.
Labuschagne is now in action for the BBL after completing his series of tests against South Africa in his heat in Brisbane. Australia held his camp in Sydney at the end of January for a short training session and he arrived in India just seven days before opening his tests. “People think it’s the big bash now, and then you start thinking, but that thought happens a long time ago,” he said. I go through each scenario that I come across, I already have my plan in mind, so all that’s left is to put the puzzle together so that when it’s time for the game, the puzzle will be completed.That’s the key, That’s how the whole preparation goes.”
Labuschagne would be part of a stable batting order in Australia, but Stephen Smith averaged 60.00 in India and is likely to be key to her hopes in the series. It’s well known and will be explored further in The Test’s second season, which opens on Friday.