'Jasprit is probably the leader of the attack' - Marnus Labuschagne lauds Bumrah ahead of Australia tour

India is all set to travel Australia in the much-anticipated tour starting in October. The Virat Kohli-led side, after playing three T20Is, will lock horns with Australia in four Tests and three ODIs. The series is still a few months away but the excitement of clash between two cricket heavyweights has already started soaring.

India had scripted history in 2018-19 by clinching the four-Test series 2-1. However, the Australian side was without their two stalwarts– David Warner and Steve Smith— as the duo was serving its ball-tampering ban. With the return of Smith and Warner, it will be a daunting task for Kohli and his men to prove their dominance Down Under.

Ahead of the series, many players have heaped praise on the Indian pace unit. Team India’s fast bowling has witnessed exemplary growth in the past few years. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma have notched up the quality of India’s pace force.

Australia’s young star Marnus Labuschagne has also heaped praise on Indian bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah. Labuschagne, who boasts an impressive average in Tests (63.4) and ODIs (50.8), termed Bumrah as the ‘leader of the attack’. Labuschagne believes that Australia have to be wary of Bumrah’s spells in the series.

“They are all good bowlers but it is hard to get past Jasprit Bumrah. He has the ability to consistently bowl around 140 kmph and swing the ball when conditions are suitable. He is also able to angle the ball back in at the stumps. You always want to test yourself against the best. Jasprit is probably the leader of that attack,” said Labuschagne as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Ishant has been very good during the last couple of years: Marnus Labuschagne

Apart from Bumrah, Labuschagne also lauded Ishant Sharma for his growth in the last couple of years. Having played one Test against India in Sydney, the right-hander feels that he has to be one step ahead while facing India’s bowling unit.

“Ishant has been very good during the last couple of years. Coming over here and angling the ball back into right-handers, that would be a good challenge for us also,” Labuschagne said.

“I have played one Test against India in Sydney. I have a bit of experience of facing their attack in that Test and later when I came to India for white-ball series. Naturally, when you do well, then people start picking your game, working on how you play. So, I have to make sure that I understand my game well, so when Indian bowlers come at me, I have to ensure that I am one step ahead,” added the 26-year-old batsman.