Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has expressed happiness that he will not have to face India’s experienced Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting here on Friday. Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane played an important role in India’s victory on the last two tours. Pujara scored three centuries in 2018/19 by playing 1258 balls in seven innings of four Tests. He was one of the architects of India’s victory. He played 928 balls in the 2020/21 series, which was the highest by any batsman in the series, and this time too he made an important contribution to the victory.
Hazlewood Praises India’s Talented Players
Hazlewood told reporters before the first Test, “I am happy that Pujara is not in his team. He is a batsman whose wicket you always want to take. He has always performed well on the Australia tour.” He, however, said that India has a lot of talented cricketers. He said, “Young and new players always keep coming into the Indian team. There is so much pressure on them to perform well, so whoever is in the Indian XI will be very talented.”
Josh Hazlewood said, “I’m happy that Cheteshwar Pujara isn’t around this time. He’s someone who spends a lot of time at the crease and tires the bowlers”. (Revsportz). pic.twitter.com/q7T3qdV6WO
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 20, 2024
Hazlewood Reflects on Pant’s Aggressive Batting Style
Last time, Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 89 runs in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane. Hazlewood said that for aggressive batsmen like Pant, flexibility in strategy is needed. He added, “Against such batsmen, you always need to have Plan B or C ready. We also have aggressive players like Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.”
Shubman Gill’s Injury and Impact on India’s Batting Order
Shubman Gill will miss the first match due to a thumb injury. As a result, India will need to send in a new batsman at the number three spot.
Josh Hazlewood had no hesitation admitting that he’s a relieved man in the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara for the upcoming #BorderGavaskarTrophy
✍️ @kcvblr
📜: https://t.co/277nlpAJfV#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/4ZsEdAPQCs— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) November 20, 2024
Hazlewood Praises India’s Depth in Cricket
Hazlewood mentioned, “This will disrupt the balance of the top six, but Indian cricket has so much depth, perhaps the most in the world. Whoever comes in will be excellent.”
Hazlewood on Missing Mohammed Shami
The Aussie pacer also spoke about India’s missing key fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who will not play in the first half due to recovery from an injury. Hazlewood said, “They will miss Shami, who has played 60 Tests and is an experienced bowler. But over the years, Jasprit Bumrah has also led the young players. He will be captain in the first Test, and I hope the players will be inspired by him.”