India captain Virat Kohli praised Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne after the hosts sealed the three-match ODI series win on Sunday. Labuschagne arrived in India with a stunning form in Test cricket. While Labuschagne made his Test debut in 2018, he finally proved his worth in last year’s Ashes Series when he included after Steve Smith suffered a concussion.

Four fifties on the trot in England made it clear about his talent. He then further did well at home against Pakistan and New Zealand. The youngster completely overshadowed Steve Smith to emerge Australia’s best performer in the Test season as well. In 5 Tests, he scored a huge 896 runs with the help of 4 centuries including a career-best 215 as Australia won all the five Tests.

His performances helped him earn his maiden ODI call-up in the recently-concluded series against India and Labuschagne totally impressed with his batting. After not getting a chance to bat in the first game, he played knocks of 46 and 54 in the next two games.

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“Just stay at cover and catch the ball when he hits in the air,” said Virat Kohli jokingly when he was asked whether he learned anything about the batsman. “He’s a quality player. We were talking outside, he’s very sure of what he wants to do. Again, body language, intent, he’s there, he’s running hard between the wickets, he wants the ball (in the field).”

“He wants to be in the important positions in the field. He’s got the right mindset to be a consistent player, to be a top player in the world for a while. He’s shown that in Test cricket, he’s shown that in one-day cricket and if he plays T20 cricket, I am sure he’ll show that clarity there as well. He looks like a complete team man. He’s always and always energetic. He’s like a bunny running around,” added Kohli.

'He's like a bunny running around' 🐇 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/BpCOuL3fpy

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 20, 2020