Marnus Labuschagne of Australia, who was fielding at short leg during India’s batting, tried to sledge the Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma on Friday.
He tried to sledge them when they were at the crease on Friday, but on Saturday when asked about the matter, he tried to brush it aside by saying that he had only asked some ‘friendly questions’.
Marnus Labuschagne Revealed He Asked Friendly Questions To Openers And Not Said Anything Rude
After his dazzling display with the bat, a tired Marnus Labuschagne made the journey back to the middle of the ground just some 35-odd overs after he had left the pitch. Far from the hard sledging that was prevalent back in the days, Marnus Labuschagne had quite an innocent question for young Indian opener Shubman Gill. The Aussie batsman was overheard on the stump microphone asking Shubman Gill who his favourite batsman was.
Shubman Gill said he will reply once the match was over which prompted Marnus Labuschagne offering up the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s name as an answer. Incidentally, Shubman Gill is rumoured to be dating legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter, Sara Tendulkar. Marnus Labuschagne also mentioned Indian captain Virat Kohli as his other option. The sledging is expected to heat up the Sydney contest further.
“I was just asking him friendly questions. He wouldn’t answer me. So, it was disappointing. I just enjoy it out there. I have not said anything rude. I was just asking him questions, like who is his favourite player?” said Marnus Labuschagne.
In a video that was circulating and went viral on the internet and was also posted by cricket.com.au, Marnus Labuschagne had a couple of questions for both the Indian openers.
Marnus Labuschagne Asks Shubman Gill To Reveal His Favourite Cricketer
Young Indian talent Shubman Gill was batting at the crease when the Australian middle-order batsman tried to engage him in a conversation.
Fielding at short leg, Marnus ShuLabuschagne asked Gill: “Favourite player? Who’s your favourite player?”
Gill decided to reply to the Australian but did not reveal the answer as he said: “I’ll tell you after.”
Marnus Labuschagne, however, continued the conversation, “After the match? Sachin? Do you reckon Virat?”
This time the Indian opener refrained from saying anything. Since Shubman Gill did not answer him, Marnus Labuschagne said that he will get the answer out of him the next time.
“He didn’t give me an answer, but I’ll get it out of him, don’t worry,” Labuschagne added
Labuschagne also tried to engage in a banter with Rohit Sharma and asked him, ‘What did you do in quarantine?’
But Rohit Sharma just turned around and can be seen getting ready to face the next delivery in the video surfaced.
The two batsmen were involved in a 70-run partnership for India and gave the team a good start in the Sydney Test. This was also India’s first 50 plus opening partnership in 14 innings.
India scored 244 in reply to Australia’s 338. Australia are 103/2 in 2nd innings at stumps on 3rd day. Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja suffered injuries and batted with discomfort.