Dare to Fight: Marnus Labuschagne challenges Jasprit Bumrah in fiery exchange during Adelaide Test

Marnus Labuschagne and Jasprit Bumrah were engaged in a intense and animated confrontation on Friday during Day 1 of the 2nd Test in Adelaide. With the pink ball and under lights, Bumrah proved to be a menace for the Australian batsmen, including Labuschagne, with his aggressive bowling line and length. Bumrah managed to dismiss opener Usman Khawaja, breaking India's 10-over drought for their first wicket. As tensions rose, Labuschagne didn't shy away from the challenge, giving as good as he got and matching Bumrah's intensity with his own fiery spirit.

The incident took place in the 13th over of the innings. Labuschagne was yet to get off the mark when the Indian skip cordon, led by Virat Kohli, started chirping away at him. The very next ball, Labuschagne defended Bumrah with a straight bat, but as he collected the ball, the Indian pacer passed on a look to the batter. But instead of taking a step back, Marnus muttered something at Bumrah, almost daring the pacer to have a go at him. Kohli and Rishabh Pant had a smile on their face, and as Bumrah returned to his mark, he, too, saw the lighter side of it.

Things did not end there. Bumrah beat Labuschagne's defence on the next ball and playfully charged at him. Marnus appreciated with a 'loud' smile and a shake of the head, easing any tension that might have existed between them. That over from Bumrah was full of electricity; even the commentators admitted that things had spiced up.

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"Don't be bluffed by the smiles. The heat is on. This is fierce Test cricket, and Marnus is not taking a backward step," said Adam Gilchrist on Air. "It's a boxing match, is it?, added Kerry O Keefe.

Labuschagne, in the company of Nathan McSweeney, kept India at bay after the 10th over. The pair added 61 runs and counting to take Australia's deficit to under 100 runs at stumps on Day 1.