I enjoy battles with Mohammed Siraj – Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series

Australia’s talismanic batter Marnus Labuschagne has said he enjoys his battles with Indian ace pacer Mohammed Siraj ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series. Siraj was India’s leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps in three matches in the previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, in which India won by 2-1.

Siraj had also returned with 5-73 in the second innings of the fourth Test match at Gabba and he had also accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 25 runs.

Labuschagne recalled that he first met Siraj at the MRF pace academy and since then both of their careers have taken an upward swing.

“I enjoy battles with Mohammed Siraj. We were at the academy back in 2015-16 and he was working with the MRF pace academy. We played against each other and that was the first time I met him. To see his career, go in that direction. He has got great energy, great passion and a great love for the game. Almost our careers are moving together from such different experiences,” Labuschagne said on Star Sports.

Meanwhile, Siraj has scalped 19 wickets in seven Test matches against Australia at an average of 33.94 while he has scalped 13 wickets in three Test matches while playing in Australian conditions at an average of 29.53.

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne has scored 775 runs in 10 Test matches against India at an average of 45.58.

Labuschagne also picked Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to have strong careers for India.

“Jaiswal, I think, looks like a proper cricketer for all formats. I mean, him and Shubman are very good,” said Labuschagne, who is Australia’s leading run scorer in WTC history.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.