The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins in Perth from Friday. Ahead of this, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is feeling relieved. Hazlewood has expressed his happiness at not having to face India’s experienced Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane played important roles in India’s victory in the last two tours.
Hazlewood, 33, said at Wednesday’s news conference: “I’m happy Pujara is not in his team.” He is a batsman whose wicket you always want to take. He has always performed well on the Australian tour.
Hazlewood recalled Pujara’s batting
In 2018-19, Pujara scored 521 runs playing 1258 balls in 7 innings of 4 Tests, which included three centuries. He was one of the architects of India’s victory. He played 928 balls in the 2020-21 series, the most of any batsman in the series and this time too contributed significantly to the victory.
However, Hazlewood, who has taken 273 wickets in 70 Tests, said India has many talented cricketers. He said, “Young and new players are always coming to the Indian team.” There is a lot of pressure on them to perform well, so whoever is in the Indian XI will be very talented.
He said this about Rishabh Pant’s assault.
Last time, Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 89 runs in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane. Hazlewood said for an aggressive batsman like Pant, flexibility will have to be adopted. He said: “You always have to have a plan B or C in front of a batsman like that.” We also have aggressive players like Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.
Shubman Gill will not play the first match due to a thumb injury, so India will have to field a new batsman at number three. Hazlewood said: “This upsets the balance of the top 6, but Indian cricket has a lot of depth, perhaps the greatest in the world.” Whoever comes will be the best.
‘…Mohammed Shami will be missed’
He also said India will miss fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who will not be able to play in the first half after recovering from an injury. He said: “Shami who has played over 60 Tests and is an experienced bowler will be missed.” But Jasprit Bumrah has also been doing the job of leading the youth all these years. He is also the captain in the first Test and I hope the players are inspired by him.
