Having arrived in Australia for the Bushfire Bash charity cricket match, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday (February 7) heaped praise on Marnus Labuschagne, saying he is the one modern-day batsman who reminds him the most of his own batting style.
“His footwork was incredible, so he would be the one I would say,” Sachin told reporters when asked which current player plays like he did.
WATCH - Kohli foresees one of the world's best batsmen in Labuschagne
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 and impressed one and all on his ODI debut against India last month.
Tendulkar said, “I saw Marnus getting hit (on the helmet by) the second ball he faced from Jofra Archer and post that, the 15 minutes he batted I said ‘this player looks special, there is something about him’.”
“His footwork was precise and footwork is not physical, it’s mental. If you’re not thinking positively in your mind then your feet don’t move. So that clearly indicated to me that this guy is mentally strong.”
Tendulkar will coach the Ricky Ponting XI for Sunday’s star-studded charity contest.
“I received a message from Brett Lee,” Tendulkar said. “Brett said that Kevin (Roberts, Cricket Australia’s chief executive) would like to be in touch with you.
“It was a no-brainer. From the moment I was asked, I said, ‘yes I’m more than happy to come here.'”
The funds raised from the match would go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
As per the media reports, hundreds of fires have scorched more than 6 million hectares (15 million acres) of bushland and left 33 people dead. Moreover, the bushfire has destroyed over 2000 homes in the last few months.
The match will be a 10-over-per-side contest, with a five-over Powerplay, no bowling restrictions, and batters unable to get out from the first ball they face. Bowlers will not have over limits, fielders can sub on and off as it suits, while captains will have the ability to sub batters in and out during an innings.
(Inputs from The Indian Express)
