Happy that Cheteshwar Pujara isn't here: Josh Hazlewood

Ace batter Cheteshwar Pujara proved to be the backbone of the Indian Test side over the last decade before getting dropped after the World Test Championship finale in 2023. He has played 103 matches in Test cricket, scoring 7195 runs at an average of 43.60 and when it comes to his numbers in Australia, the 36-year-old made 993 runs in 11 matches at an average of 47.28. However, it wasn’t about the runs, but the resilience shown by the Rajkot-born cricketer that heavily bothered the Australian bowlers.

Pujara played multiple important knocks in Australia, without which, India may not have succeeded in the Down Under in the last couple of editions. Speaking on the same, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood stated that he is happy to see Pujara not being around and added that he used to tire the bowlers with his defence. However, he noted that the young Indian cricketers are talented as well, and he expects a tough series.

“I am pretty happy that Cheteshwar Pujara isn’t here. He's obviously someone who bats with time and makes you earn his wicket every time. He has done well in Australia in all his tours. But, there’s always young, fresh guys coming in the Indian team, and they understand the pressure to perform for the Indian team with so many guys nipping at the heels all the time. Whoever they pick in the XI, they are unbelievable players. So it doesn’t really matter who they pick, they are all great players,” Hazlewood said while talking to the press.

Our focus is on all the players: Hazlewood

There’s always extra chatter about Virat Kohli when he travels to Australia for a Test series. The 2024-25 season is no different, but Hazlewood clarified that the team is focusing on all the players and not just Kohli. He noted that players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant can be game-changers as well.

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“Not only Kohli, but our focus is on all the players. He has found a lot of success in the past and of course will be a crucial wicket. But there are other guys also like a Rishabh Pant or a Jasprit Bumrah who can be equally good with their respective skills," he said.