Marnus Labuschagne, the prolific Australian batsman, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming duels with the formidable Indian pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. However, one particular battle that Labuschagne is especially looking forward to is against the fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Labuschagne and Siraj have a shared history that dates back to their time at the MRF Academy in 2015-16. “We played against each other, and that’s when I first met him,” Labuschagne recalled in a recent interview with Star Sports.
The Australian batsman, who has now reached the milestone of 50 Tests, praised Siraj for his infectious energy and passion for the game. “He has got great passion, great energy, and a great love for the game,” Labuschagne said. “It’s been nice to see our careers moving almost together from such experiences.”
Siraj, who is also 30 years old, has made a significant impact in his 27 Tests for India, claiming 74 wickets. He will next be in action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai.
After Bangladesh’s visit, India will host New Zealand for a three-Test series before embarking on their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This year’s edition of the prestigious series will be contested over five Tests for the first time.
All 10 Tests that India will play in the coming months are part of the World Test Championship (WTC). The results of these matches will determine whether India can retain their current No. 1 spot in the WTC table or remain in the top two to qualify for their third consecutive WTC final in June next year.
Labuschagne’s anticipation for the upcoming battles against Siraj and the Indian pace attack is palpable. The Australian batsman is known for his resilience and determination, and he will undoubtedly be looking to make a significant contribution to his team’s success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
