Marnus Labuschagne unveiled his unique chirping style in the third Australia-India Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, attempting to charm the tourists into giving their wickets away rather than engaging in traditional mental disintegration.

His positioning at short leg meant the stump mic was able to pick up his many, many comments. First came a general observation after a Josh Hazlewood delivery bounced less than expected on its way through to the keeper.

“Oh that’s a low-ey,” Labuschagne exclaimed excitedly.

He then engaged in a bit of back and forth with Shubman Gill, with Labuschagne desperate to know one thing.

“Favourite player? Who’s your favourite player?” he asked.

“I’ll tell you after,” responded Gill.

“After the ball,” Labuschagne negotiated, before taking some guesses. “Sachin. Do you reckon Virat?”

Once the ball had been bowled, Labuschagne resumed his line of questioning.

“Come on, who is it? Sachin? Virat? AB.”

Gill confirmed his favourite player was Sachin Tendulkar, but his opening partner wasn’t as forthcoming.

“What did you do in quarantine?” Labuschagne asked Rohit Sharma, referring to the two weeks the opener spent in isolation after joining the tour late. Rohit declined to respond.

Still, even if Rohit wasn’t a fan, Labuschagne’s own unique take on cricket’s dark art won him plenty of admirers.

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