With their shrewd tactics, Indian bowlers led by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have got the better of Australian batsmen in the first two Tests, acknowledged Marnus Labuschagne on Friday (January 1).
Australia have been bundled out for 191, 195 and 200 in three out of four innings so far, with Ashwin claiming 10 wickets.
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"I've never faced Ashwin before until this series. You don't have the stats that Ravi has without being a great bowler and also a great thinker," Labuschagne said during a virtual press conference, as quoted by PTI.
"He's (Ashwin) obviously come in really prepared and they're being really crafty with their field and what they're trying to do. We have fallen into their trap a few times," he added.
None of the Aussie batsmen reached fifty in either innings during their 8-wicket defeat at MCG, with Labuschagne top-scoring after a 48 on Day 1.
"They are very disciplined in their bowling and have come up with a plan in both spin and pace...They've held it that straight line and made us face a lot of balls," Labuschagne stated.
He also defended ace batsman Steve Smith for his poor showing in the first two Tests.
"Call it what you want to call it, but not long ago he got two hundreds of 60-odd balls in ODIs (against India at Sydney)."
Smith has registered scores of 1, 1*, 0 and 8 across the four innings in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Asked what could be the reason for Smith's sudden bad patch, Labuschagne said: "He's not short of runs maybe, I mean, he has played a lot of white ball cricket and he probably hasn't had as much time against the red ball as he would have liked.
"That's the reality of cricket and of this COVID situation."
Labuschagne also reminded everyone about Smith's incredible Test average.
"He averages 60-plus after 80-odd games (75). He's shown he's consistent even from the start of his career to now. He just keeps putting the runs on the board.
Leading India in the absence of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane exploited a leg slip for his seam, spin bowlers at the MCG and the likes of Smith, Labuschagne and Tim Paine fell into that trap.
"They've certainly come in with a plan, making sure that they're really not leaving stumps and having a really heavy leg side field....
"....It obviously slows the scoring rate down because you know those shots that you do get on your legs, go for one or four," Labuschagne explained.
"And then they're always keeping those catches in the game. We also need to come up with ways to put them under pressure."
The third Test will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground from January 7 to 11.
(With PTI inputs)
