Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne sledged Shubman Gill and then Rohit Sharma on the second day of the SCG test, posing questions and engaging in banter with both of them. Labuschagne’s question to Gill,’Who is your favourite player?’ was caught on the stump mic as the Aussie continued to pester the 21-year-old.

Tim Paine and company folded for 338, owing to Ravindra Jadeja’s four-fer and some tight bowling by the pacers. In reply, India finished the second day at 96/2, Ajinkya Rahane (5) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9) still on the crease.

“Who’s your favourite player?” Labuschagne went on between deliveries of Starc’s second over.

“I will tell you after the match,” replied Gill.

“After the ball… Sachin? Do you reckon Virat?” the Aussie further pushed.

When Shubman Gill didn’t engage in a conversation, Labuschagne went on with Rohit Sharma– as the Indian Vice Captain came to the strikers end. “Hey what did you do in quarantine?” he asked Sharma. The Mumbai Indians skipper came into the side after spending 14 days in quarantine.

While Labuschagne pursued the conversation, the commentators– listening to his perseverance– laughed.

Earlier, it was Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who put on a 100 run stand, the former scoring his 27th Test century while the latter was dismissed on 91 runs. India’s Shubman Gill scored a half-century and put up a 70 run opening stand with Rohit Sharma (26).