Sachin Tendulkar's shining appraisal for Aussie gun Marnus Labuschagne

Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar has paid Marnus Labuschagne the ultimate compliment, likening the in-form Australian's skill to his own composed batsmanship.

Tendulkar, India's greatest-ever cricketer who scored 51 Test tons, was stunned by Labuschagne's performance on Ashes debut as a concussion substitute at Lord's last year.

"His footwork was incredible, so he would be the one I would say," Tendulkar replied at the SCG, when asked whether any modern-day player reminds him of himself.

"I saw Marnus getting hit (on the helmet by) the second ball he faced from Jofra Archer and post that, the 15 minutes he batted I said 'this player looks special, there is something about him'.

"His footwork was precise and footwork is not physical, it's mental. If you're not thinking positively in your mind then your feet don't move.

"So that clearly indicated to me that this guy is mentally strong."

Don Bradman famously said the same of Tendulkar, who captured the admiration of Australian players and fans from the moment he scored an unbeaten Test century as an 18-year-old at the SCG in 1992.

Tendulkar, speaking at the iconic venue in Sydney after arriving in the country for Sunday's bushfire relief game in Melbourne, also levelled high praise on Steve Smith.

"He's a special player and he's proven that on a consistent basis," Tendulkar said.