Marnus Labuschagne Admires Chess-Like Battle with Ravichandran Ashwin
Labuschagne shares ain incident from the Indore Test [AP Photos]
In a recent interview preceding the fourth encounter of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Marnus Labuschagne, the star Australian batter, divulged his experience of facing Ravichandran Ashwin in the purest format of the game.
The right-hander, characterizing it as a strategic game of chess, revealed that Ashwin altered his bowling run during the third match to perturb him. Elaborating further, the top-order batsman stated that the 36-year-old bowler attempted to unsettle him by launching his delivery while he was not prepared.
Labuschagne explained that Ashwin changed to a short run-up, which he was not watching, causing him to alter his rhythm. Consequently, the batter mentioned that he refused to face up since he did not want to look up and then have the ball bowled.
The World No.1 batsman further said that he repeated this action several times before umpire Wilson intervened and instructed him to face up when Ashwin was ready. Labuschagne affirmed that he was ready to face up but the veteran bowler was attempting to bowl the ball before he was prepared.
“He turned to a short run and I wasn’t watching because I had the rhythm of his run-up, so my routine stays to that rhythm. So I was like ‘I’m not facing up because I’m going to look down and then he’s going to bowl the ball’. I did it a few times, just pulled away. Then Joel came down and said, ‘You have to face up when he’s ready’ and I said ‘happy to face up Joel, but he’s trying to bowl the ball before I’m ready," Labuschagne told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Australian batter explicated that the rivalry between him and Ashwin is akin to playing a game of chess, with both players attempting to outmaneuver one another. Labuschagne commended Ashwin for his tactical acumen and his ability to shift the momentum of the game.
“It’s just the chess, the caginess, just trying to get you out of the rhythm of what he’s bowling. I credit him because I could sense the momentum of the game was shifted or potentially gone, but he’s so cagey and so good at the small things,” Labuschagne added.
He acknowledged that he enjoys the rivalry with Ashwin and considers it “great cricket and theatre.” The Aussie also opined that he appreciates the Indian offie's tactics on the cricket field, and that is why he always has a smile on his face.
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