Australia’s standout batsman, Marnus Labuschagne, has shared insights into the verbal challenges he faced from Indian players, notably Virat Kohli, during the intense ODI World Cup 2023 final. Despite enduring sledging attempts, Labuschagne revealed that the overwhelming noise of the Ahmedabad crowd prevented him from hearing the Indian team’s remarks.
Labuschagne’s pivotal 58-run contribution anchored Australia’s six-wicket triumph over India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, rescuing his team from a precarious position of 47/3 while chasing a modest 240-run target.
Amidst an early onslaught by India, Kohli initiated aggressive sledging upon Labuschagne’s entry, met with a confident response from the Australian batter.
Undeterred by subsequent attempts from Shreyas Iyer to unsettle him, Labuschagne maintained focus and composure, orchestrating a match-winning 192-run partnership with Travis Head.
In his recent newsletter titled ‘My World Cup Final Wrap,’ Labuschagne revealed his inability to decipher the Indian players’ sledging due to the deafening roar of the Ahmedabad crowd. “The wave of momentum India had was immense. The Indian team were getting into me, and all I could say back was ‘I actually can’t hear what you’re saying over the crowd,'” he shared.
Labuschagne also reflected on the dismissal of Kohli, highlighting the profound silence that engulfed the stadium as the batting icon exited, leaving India in a state of disbelief.
