Credits: X
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne blew a kiss at Indian bowler Harshit Rana after the latter sledged him in the opening Test of BGT 2024-25. The five-series high-voltage between India and Australia kicked off on Friday, November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and invited the rivals to field first. The opening innings of the series saw the visitors struggling poorly, and putting up a below-par total of 150.
While things seemed to have slipped away from the visitors’ hands, Indian bowlers including Bumrah, debutant Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj took matters in their hands. India got their first success in the form of Nathan McSweeney as the debutant got dismissed off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery on the third ball of the third over. Australia were soon reduced to 31/4 as Travis Head walked back after scoring 11 runs and Harshit Rana got his first Test wicket.
Marnus Labushagne blows kiss at Harshit Rana after latter sledges him
Things got heated up during the game when Harshit Rana, playing his first Test, sledged the Aussie batter. Labuschagne failed to pick up the first few balls delivered by Rana and got injured on his inner thighs. The Indian bowler was then seen walking up to the batter and was greeted by a big smile by the Aussie. Not only this, but things escalated further when Labuschagne blew a kiss at Rana. Moreover, Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli was also seen saying something to the batter.
The visuals of the incident quickly went viral on social media and Indian fans came up with several kinds of reactions. As of writing, Australia were batting at 38 runs with the loss of five wickets. Bumrah picked a total of three wickets while Rana and Siraj had picked one wicket each.
