The Australian batsman, Marnus Labuschagne was seen engaging in friendly banter with the Indian youngster Shubman Gill during India’s first innings of the ongoing third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. After Australia registered a decent score of 338 in their first innings, Gill and Rohit Sharma opened the batting for India. In the third over of the innings, Labuschagne, fielding at one of the close-in positions casually asked Gill about his favorite player.
“Who is your favorite player?” asked Labuschagne. Gill, who had no intention of getting engaged into the banter, replied plaintively: “I’ll tell you after the match.” Not to be put down easily, Labuschagne enquired further as to who was Gill’s favorite player. “Sachin (Tendulkar)?” “Virat (Kohli)?” were some of Labuschagne’s guesses.
Marnus just wants to know who Gill's favourite player is! 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/VvW7MixbQR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
The banter made for good viewing but it had no effect on the concentration of the Indian youngster. Labuschagne, a top-order batsman for Australia, has played 16 Test matches for the Aussies in which he has amassed 1588 runs at 58.81 since making his debut in 2018. He has four centuries and one double-century to his name in addition to eight fifties.
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Gill has a stellar first-class record as he averages 69.11 from 24 matches. He has scored 2350 runs with seven centuries and 11 fifties. The four-match Test series is tied 1-1 after Australia and India won one each of the first two games. He made a phone 70-run partnership with Rohit for the first wicket in Sydney on Day 2.
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Australia registered a phenomenal win over India by eight wickets in the day-night Test in Adelaide where India suffered the ignominy of their lowest-ever Test total of 36. However, India made a comeback in the Melbourne Test by winning the game by 8 wickets.
