In a playful yet intriguing build-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Australian batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne has humorously expressed his desire to bowl bouncers at none other than Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. Labuschagne, widely regarded for his exceptional skills with the bat, has shown an eagerness to challenge Kohli with short-pitched deliveries during the upcoming five-match Test series between Australia and India.
Marnus, a pivotal member of Australia’s Test squad, is known for his relentless enthusiasm on the field, both as a batter and an occasional part-time bowler. As the much-anticipated series draws closer, Labuschagne revealed his enthusiasm for testing Kohli’s renowned abilities against bouncers.
Virat Kohli, who is considered one of the best players of short-pitched bowling in the modern era, missed most of India’s previous Test series against Australia, leaving Labuschagne curious about facing the Indian captain. His desire to see how Kohli handles his bowling, combined with his cheeky inquiry about Kohli’s character during the previous series, has turned into a lighthearted talking point among the players.
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When asked about his bowling speed, Labuschagne entertained interviewers by claiming he could reach speeds of up to 135 km/h, sparking laughter. He joked about his ambition to bowl fast-medium deliveries at Kohli, noting that his teammates might not appreciate his confidence.
.@gradecricketer asks Marnus Labuschagne: ‘Do you think the nation wants to see you bowl?’
And we’re off to the races from there 😅 pic.twitter.com/HAQPCcUlfr
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) October 21, 2024
“I think I could bowl bouncers to Virat Kohli. People want to see that, to see if I can get him to duck under my bouncers,” Marnus Labuschagne said in a candid interview with Channel 7. He even added, “I reckon I’ve got a 135 km/h bouncer in me. My highest recorded speed is 132 km/h, so I’m not far off.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 promises to be a thrilling encounter as India and Australia, two cricketing powerhouses, face off once again. Set to commence in November, the series will be crucial for both teams as it marks India’s final assignment in the World Test Championship 2025 cycle.
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In addition to the five Test matches, India will also play several tour games during their two-and-a-half-month campaign Down Under. Meanwhile, India is currently engaged in a three-match Test series against New Zealand. In the opening Test in Bengaluru, Kohli played a composed knock of 70 runs, but the hosts eventually fell short, losing by eight wickets.
With the second Test looming, India will be eager to bounce back when they take on New Zealand in Pune starting October 24. All eyes will then turn to the Border-Gavaskar series, where the Kohli vs. Labuschagne face-off could be one of the highlights.
