Fast Bowlers Make India ‘Difficult’ Side To Beat On Australian Soil, Reckons Marnus Labuschagne

New Delhi: Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne reckoned that fast bowlers make India a difficult side to beat on Australian pitches as the hosts look to end their unsuccessful run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which has lasted nearly a decade. Notably, India have won every bilateral Test series against Australia since losing 1-2 in 2014-15. The Rohit Sharma-led side recorded identical 2-1 series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21 in Australia to remain on top.

The middle-order mainstay termed the rivalry as ‘tough’ irrespective of where they are playing. “Both Australia and India, love the game and, they’re at the top of their game at the moment. I mean the energy when these two teams play together is always high. There’s always high anticipation,” Labuschagne told Star Sports.

“To these two teams, it doesn’t matter where we’re playing, if it’s in England, Australia, or India, it’s always a tough contest. India’s fast bowling is very good, which is really what brings them in Australian conditions and makes them such a tough team to beat in Australian conditions. Hopefully, this summer we can turn the tables on India and put them under real pressure,” he added.

On the other hand, all-rounder Cameron Green reckoned the five-Test series between India and Australia starting on November 22 at Perth could be a ‘preview’ for the final of the World Test Championships next year. Taking about the WTC points table, India lead with 68.52 percentile, followed by Australia with 62.50 percentile.

The World Test Championship will be played at Lord’s from June 11-15 next year and could feature both the current top two teams. Notably, India have on both WTC finals but ended at the receiving end. India lost to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023.

“Every single point is pretty crucial for the World Test Championship. Any way you can kind of get an idea of how to get one up on your opponent, I think we’ll try and take it. So yeah, if it is a bit of a preview for a World Test Championship final again, I think yeah, we’ve been trying to get as much information out of India and see how we can win it again. Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be a great series,” said Green.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon praised the Indian team for its depth and acknowledged their star players, specifically mentioning Ravichandran Ashwin. “It’s been an absolute privilege to play against him and learn off him,” Lyon said, calling Ashwin a “master in the craft of off-spin bowling,” said the spinner.