Marnus Labuschagne is known for his temperament with the bat. The top order batter has been a pillar of stability in the Australian batting line-up. But a recent fielding prowess from the Australian batter displayed that he is more than a batting sensation in the Australian squad.
Marnus Labuschagne cruised through the field in a daring fielding effort
On Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India, Marnus Labuschagne showcased his athleticism during his outfield duties as the Indian innings progressed after the dismissals of set batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli. In a pivotal moment, Rishabh Pant drove a ball fiercely, seemingly destined for the boundary. Mitchell Marsh sprinted in pursuit of the ball, but it was Labuschagne who stole the spotlight. Charging across the outfield, he executed a perfectly timed slide, skillfully stopping the ball with his foot to save crucial runs for his team. The quick reaction drew applause from both his teammates and the lively crowd at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), highlighting Labuschagne’s commitment and sharp fielding skills.
Here’s the video:
This was way too smooth from Marnus 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SDjqAcsiAp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
Also Read: AUS vs IND: Marnus Labuschagne slams David Warner over technique criticism ahead of the Gabba Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a heroic knock for
The second day began with Australia asserting their dominance over the Indian bowling attack, steadily adding to their total. Steve Smith led the charge with a brilliant 140-run knock, while skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc chipped in with valuable contributions. Their efforts powered the hosts to a formidable first-innings total of 474 runs.
In response, India aimed to mount a comeback, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading from the front. However, his promising innings was cut short by an unfortunate run-out. Virat Kohli, looking to anchor the innings, departed soon after, leaving India in a precarious position. Night-watchman Akash Deep failed to provide stability, compounding the visitors’ troubles.
By the close of play, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant remained at the crease, fighting to steady the innings. India managed to reach 164 runs for the loss of five wickets, still trailing Australia by a significant 310 runs. With their backs against the wall, the visiting team now faces a daunting task and is in desperate need of a strong partnership to stay in the contest.