Sachin Tendulkar new Marnus Labuschagne was ‘a bit special’ after watching Ashes debut
Marnus Labuschagne’s rise to the upper reaches of the Test rankings was the story of this summer. But it didn’t surprise Sachin Tendulkar, who knew he was “special” after watching him for just 15 minutes.
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Long before Sachin Tendulkar became the greatest run scorer in cricket history, an ageing Australian with defective eyesight spotted something no-one else had seen.
But this wasn’t just any senior citizen, mind you, this was Don Bradman, in his final interview before retreating from public life, so the entire cricket world was listening.
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Ray Martin’s 1996 interview with the Don was packed with surprises, but not more so than when he identified India’s rising young batsman Tendulkar as the player that most reminded him of himself.
Although he had already scored eight Test hundreds at the time, most thought the old man had lost his marbles.
Tendulkar hadn’t scored a Test ton in 18 months and the West Indian Brian Lara was everyone’s tip as the next king in waiting after making a world record 375.
But Bradman’s hunch was right. Tendulkar went on to make 100 100s – 51 in Tests and 49 in ODI’s – and amass records that have never been challenged.
Back in Australia after being invited by Brett Lee to coach in the bushfire charity relief match, the now 46-year-old Tendulkar has shown that he also has an eye for spotting the cream before it gets to the top.
Asked by The Daily Telegraph if there was anyone in the game today that reminded him of himself, his eyes lit up as he recalled how it took it him just 15 minutes of watching Marnus Labuschagne to realise “he’s the one.”
“I happened to be watching the second Test, which was played at Lord’s between England and Australia (in 2019). And when Steve Smith got injured in the first innings I saw Labuschagne’s second innings. I was watching with my father in law,” 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.”
Labuschagne made 59 in that innings but few apart from Tendulkar anticipated what was coming next. Until that point he was averaging just 26.25 but he’s been a run-machine ever since.
In the six months since he caught Tendulkar’s attention, Labuschagne’s scored four hundreds, including a double, plus seven 50s and averaged 83.26 and the Indian master isn’t surprised one bit.
“That clearly indicated to me that this guy is mentally strong because if you are not, your feet will not move,” Tendulkar said.
“And his footwork was incredible, so he would be the one I’d say.”
Labuschagne’s rise has been so meteoric that only Virat Kohli and Smith are ahead of him on the ICC Test rankings.
Asked which of the top two he would pick for Sunday’s charity match if either was available for selection, Tendulkar unsurprisingly opted for his countryman.
"I think I'll leave Steve Smith to be (selected) in the other side. Virat has been my friend. I'd pick Virat,” he said.
"Let's not compare, let's enjoy what both those players are doing. They're entertaining the entire cricketing world and it's a joy to watch both of them
"When it comes to picking someone, I think, 'let an Indian pick an Indian guy'.''
Tendulkar is in Australia to coach the Ponting XI against Adam Gilchrist's XI at Junction Oval in Melbourne. He is not listed to play in the match but hinted that he might make a brief cameo.
“I’ve got some injuries. I’m struggling with my shoulder so I was advised not to play,” he said.
“But there is something happening around the corner that might be a surprise for all of us, you never know, I might just pick up a bat.”
Originally published as Sachin Tendulkar new Marnus Labuschagne was ‘a bit special’ after watching Ashes debut