Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has revealed that he is turning to Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag for guidance as he prepares for the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series. Once regarded as one of the most reliable batters in world cricket, Labuschagne admitted that his recent form slump has forced him to rethink his approach.
Between 2019 and 2023, he established himself as a mainstay in the Australian Test side and even rose to the No.1 spot in the ICC rankings. However, over the past 18 months, his performances have not matched the same consistency. Despite the dip, Labuschagne still maintains an impressive career average close to 46, showing that his quality remains intact.
In discussing his preparations, the 31-year-old noted that he has been studying Sehwag’s batting style and mindset. Known for his fearless stroke play and ability to dominate bowlers, Sehwag played with freedom and instinct, qualities Labuschagne now wants to bring back into his own game.
“Sehwag was an amazing player and had a great eye. Obviously Sehwag’s method was taking the ball on and just playing it. That’s an element for me,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying by the Roar.
“That is where I want to get to by the start of the summer, where I am so clear and confident with my technique that there is nothing else I am thinking about apart from seeing the ball, hitting it and trusting my game and everything falling into place. That’s the goal. To get there is stepping stones,” he added.
Adopting a Fearless Mindset
Marnus Labuschagne admitted that he has sometimes overcomplicated his batting, focusing too much on technique and losing the natural flow that brought him success earlier in his career. Inspired by Sehwag, he wants to simplify his approach: “see the ball, trust the instincts, and let the shots come naturally.”
According to him, Sehwag’s fearlessness is what made him one of the most destructive openers in the history of Test cricket, and bringing even a fraction of that mindset could be a game-changer.
As part of this shift, Labuschagne has also revamped his training routines. Instead of relying heavily on side-arm throwdowns, he has begun facing a variety of bowlers to improve his adaptability. This method, he feels, helps him build consistency in movement and decision-making under pressure. The goal is to be prepared for different scenarios, especially against England’s versatile bowling attack in the Ashes.
Hunger to Reclaim His Spot
Although he faced a temporary exit from the Test side, Labuschagne insists that his self-belief remains strong. He emphasized that his standards have not dropped and that he continues to expect the best from himself. With a burning desire to return to the Australian lineup, he is channelling his hunger into disciplined practice and mental preparation.
Labuschagne is confident that this renewed mindset, inspired by Sehwag’s philosophy, will allow him to find his rhythm again. As the Ashes series approaches, the right-hander is determined not just to regain his place but also to re-establish himself as one of the most dependable batters in world cricket.
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