Australia's Josh Hazlewood
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood expressed his relief at not having to bowl to veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Pujara was instrumental in India's historic Test series victory in Australia during 2018-19, amassing an impressive 521 runs at an average of 74.42, including three centuries across four matches.
India likely to hand two debuts in first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test vs Australia in Perth
He showcased his resilience once again in the 2020-21 tour, scoring 271 runs with three half-centuries as India secured a 2-1 series win.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening Test in Perth, Hazlewood commented, "I'm pretty happy that Puj (Cheteshwar Pujara) isn't here (smiles). He's obviously one that bats time, makes you really earn his wicket every time, has done really well in Australia on all these tours..
"So there's always young, fresh guys coming into the Indian team that they're under so much pressure to perform in the Indian team with with so many guys nipping at their heels all the time. Whoever they pick in that XI, they're unbelievable players. It doesn't really matter who they pick, they're all great players," he added.
A challenge for the Indian cricket team going into the first Test and potentially longer is the absence of Shubman Gill, who fractured his left thumb during a match simulation over the weekend. It has ruled him out of the first Test while there's hope he recovers for rest of the five-match series.
"Anytime you disrupt the top-six it's a bit of an issue but as I said the amount of talent in the Indian squad is quite unbelievable, the depth is phenomenal, better than any other country in the world. So whoever comes in has earned their stripes and no doubt will do well," stated Hazlewood.
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