'You Can Never Underestimate A Team Like That': Australia Star Acknowledges India's Quality Line-up

Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's middle-order batter, has acknowledged that India's recent defeat to New Zealand on home soil may have caused some damage to ir confidence. However, he emphasized that Australia will not underestimate visiting team, recognizing India's strength and resilience.

Labuschagne knows Indian team cannot be taken lightly

Marnus Labuschagne noted that India's whitewash loss to New Zealand, which ended ir 12-year unbeaten run at home, may have h a psychological impact on team. Neverless, he expressed caution and respect for Indian team, stating that Australia will not take m lightly in upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar series, starting on Friday.

"It's really hard to judge. y played in completely different conditions — spinning conditions — but having India come here off back of a loss at home is something that's never happened before (in my career)," Labuschagne told media.

“I think that is a good thing in terms of... y are probably a little bit lower on confidence, not coming off a Test victory, losing to New Zealand 3-0. I think that's going to do a little bit of damage to ir confidence.”

However, Labuschagne insisted that Australia, who have lost each of ir last four series to India both home and away, will have to guard against complacency.

"y're a quality line-up and y're one of best teams in world. So you can never underestimate a team like that," he said.

India staged an incredible comeback on ir last Australia tour in 2020-21 to win 2-1, despite absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli and injuries to several or frontline players along way.

"That's what happened in 2021 — likes of (T) Natarajan played, (Mohamm) Siraj got his first crack in Australia, Washington Sundar played," Labuschagne recalled.

"y h all se guys that were probably a little bit new — Shubman (Gill) played those couple of games (in 2020-21 series) – so re were new faces around," he ded.

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With India set to take field without regular captain Rohit Sharma and No. 3 batter Gill in first Test at Optus Stium here, Labuschagne said India have enough talent in ir ranks to meet all challenges.

"y're a quality line-up and y've showed that over a period of time. You can't ever underestimate depth of Indian cricket," he said.

"Anyone that's gets opportunity to play for India have h to do a lot of hard work and find ir way into that side... to actually play for a team like that, you have to be a very good player," Labuschagne ded. 

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(With PTI inputs)