“Last week, we lost a Test match and we were apparently the worst Test team ever" - Marnus Labuschagne on silencing critics in 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test 

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne noted how the hosts executed a stunning turnaround to silence the critics, who came down hard on the team after a humiliating 295-run defeat in Perth to kickstart the Border-Gavaskar series. Pat Cummins and company issued a perfect response, clinching a clinical 10-wicket win in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval to level the series.

Fans and pundits made their opinions heard regarding the top-order's lack of runs, and reports surrounding a rift within the team. During the build-up to the second Test, the likes of Alex Carey and Travis Head debunked those claims.

Labuschagne was among the set of players who were under the most pressure. The right-handed batter had a forgettable outing in Perth, prolonging his misery over the last 12-18 months. He made a massive statement with a fifty in difficult conditions, playing a huge role in setting up the platform for Travis Head to score a hundred and stretch Australia's lead.

“Last week, we lost a Test match and we were apparently the worst Test team ever. This week, we finish on day three with the series at 1-1," Labuschagne told Fox Sports following Australia's win in Adelaide.

The Aussies were favorites to win the match after reducing India to 128-5 at the end of Day 2. The hosts wrapped up proceedings inside the first session of Day 3 by making easy work of India's lower order and chasing down the 19-run target to win by 10 wickets.

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India and Australia will next lock horns in Brisbane

Australia skipper Pat Cummins lauded his side's comprehensive display of bowling out India twice in exactly 80 overs. Mitchell Starc recorded his career-best figures in the first innings, while Cummins stepped up to bag a fifer with his short-ball barrage in the second innings.

With Nathan McSweeney looking settled after a nervy debut, Marnus Labuschagne back in rhythm, and Travis Head at its destructive best, the Australian batting unit looks in relatively better shape for the second half of the series.

The two sides head to The Gabba for the third Test, scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 14.