BGT 2024-25: Marnus Labuschagne acknowledges Jasprit Bumrah's 'undeniable skills'

Marnus Labuschagne hailed Jasprit Bumrah's class ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where India and Australia will cross swords in a five-match Test series.

Labuschagne and Bumrah have had some intriguing battles in the past in the Test arena. The Australian No. 3 is yet to be dismissed by the ace speedster. In six meetings, Labuschagne has scored 49 runs from 162 balls. While Bumrah hasn't got his wicket as yet, he has made it difficult for the batter to score runs and a strike rate of 30.24 validates the same. 

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2024: Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing the third Test match?

Meanwhile, Labuschagne said that he is eagerly waiting to face the challenges that Bumrah will have in store for him during the highly-anticipated series.

"Jasprit is a sensational bowler. His skill is undeniable and it's always a great challenge to come up against some of the best players in our game, whether it's Jasprit or any other great bowler. That's what you want as a batsman. To challenge your skills and find ways to win the contest. whether it's Jasprit or any other bowler," Labuschagne told Hindustan Times.

Bumrah has played seven Tests on Australian soil and has accounted for 32 wickets at an excellent average of 21.25. His strike rate of 51.50 is also quite impressive. The 30-year-old has been India's spearhead for a very long time and his performances on the forthcoming tour is going to be key for the hosts as they look to retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy once again.

'Up to us to have the plans and execution to stop him'  - Marnus Labuschagne on Rishabh Pant threat

Rishabh Pant played a huge role in India's 2-1 win on their last Test tour of Australia in 2021-22. He finished as the third-highest run-getter and scored a memorable unbeaten 89 at The Gabba to help India win the fourth and final Test match and bag the series. While Labuschagne acknowledged Pant's ability to change the momentum of the game, the experienced batter asserted that Australia will have plans in place to counter him.

Also Read: People talk about Rishabh Pant, but Cheteshwar Pujara actually won India BGT 2020-21: Tim Paine

"Rishabh has a great ability to counterattack and take the game on, which we've seen him do all around the world. His ability when India is under pressure to come in and turn the momentum is undeniable so it's up to us to have the plans and execution to stop him from doing that in this series," the 30-year-old said.