Waugh's choice of numero uno batsman took everyone in the cricket fraternity by surprised.
Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh has showered rich praise on Marnus Labuschagne, saying he is currently the No. 1 batsman in the world.
Read More: In-form Marnus Labuschagne wary of "tough" India challenge
Waugh also expects Labuschagne, who recently received his maiden ODI call-up for India tour, to flourish in the 50-over format.
“He is probably the number one batsman in world cricket, albeit in the Test format, but I think he can carry that on into the white-ball format as well. I think he has got to bat in the top four,” sydneymorningherald.com.au quoted Waugh as saying.
“You would imagine Finch and Warner would open, Steve Smith at three and Labuschagne at four. I think he is ideally suited at four because he can play spin well, he is a good sweeper of the ball,” he added.
Labuschagne will have to counter the Indian spinners in three ODIs this month and Waugh feels the Queensland batsman is equipped to handle all sorts of challenges thrown at him.
“He is going to get tested out, obviously, by the spin of India, by the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, those sorts of guys. But a batsman in form going to India is exactly what you need. I think he will go really well,” the 54-year-old said.
Marnus Labuschagne has dominated Test cricket ever since replacing Steve Smith as a concussion substitute at Lord's during the Ashes last year.
The 25-year-old recently moved to the career-best third place in ICC Test batting rankings. He smashed 215 and 59 in the two innings of third Test against New Zealand in Sydney to occupy the third spot.
Labuschagne was the highest scorer in the three-Test series against New Zealand with 549 runs, while he had amassed 347 runs in the preceding home series against Pakistan from two Tests.