 "Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Hazlewood glad Pujara is missing but won't underestimate India's young guns")
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is relieved Team India is without the services of Cheteshwar Pujara for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts on 22 November in Perth . Pujara was the highest run-getter in the India vs Australia Test series Down Under in 2018-19 with 521 runs in four Tests as India won their first-ever Test series in Australia. He also scored 271 in the 2020-21 series Down Under, helping India to clinch their second consecutive BGT in Australia.
Pujara, however, has been out of favour in the Indian Test side, having last played in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. “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,” Hazlewood said in Perth on Wednesday.
‘They’re all great players’
The 33-year-old Australian pacer, however, refused to undermine the current Indian lot that includes young batters like Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal is also expected to play in the Perth Test after injury to Shubman Gill .
“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 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.
“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,” added Hazlewood.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHazlewood added the Indian cricket team will miss Mohammed Shami who returned to cricketing action recently after a year-long injury layoff.
“They will miss him (Shami). He has played around 60 Tests. He is a senior bowler. Of course, he is someone all the youngsters look up to but Jasprit Bumrah has taken that role over the years,” Hazlewood shard.
“Bumrah is also the captain in the first Test, maybe and he is someone who players look up to and is the leader of the attack,” he said.
Shami could become available in the later part of the five-match series.
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