‘Happy That Cheteshwar Pujara Isn’t Here’: Josh Hazlewood’s Honest Admission As He Highlights ‘Pressure on India’ – News18
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Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood admitted that he was happy because Pujara wasn’t a part of the Indian touring party.
Cheteshwar Pujara will not be a part of the BGT 2024-25
The Indian team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is not the same that won the last two editions of the Test series Down Under. While Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a historic win on the last trip to Australia, is no longer a part of the recent set-up, another major missing will Cheteshwar Pujara who had haunted the Aussies with his batting, especially in the tour of 2018-19.
Back then, Pujara emerged as the top-scorer of the series with 524 runs, including 3 centuries, and was adjudged the Player of the Series. He couldn’t pile up a mountain of runs in the following tour but left no stone unturned in frustrating the Australian bowlers, literally putting his body on the line.
He may have been replaced by the younger crop of batters but the Aussies are yet to get over his brilliance. Speaking with the media on Wednesday, fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood admitted that he was happy because Pujara wasn’t a part of the Indian touring party.
“I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is obviously someone who bats time and spends a lot of time at the crease and makes you earn his wicket every time. Has done really well in Australia on previous tours,” Hazlewood told the press.
“I mean there are always first-class young players coming into the team. There is so much pressure to perform in the Indian team. With so many guys nipping at the hills all the time, so overall the playing XI is a mix of unbelievable players. So, it does not really matter, they are all big players,” he added.
Pujara, a veteran of 103 Tests, has an impressive record against Australia in their backyard. In 11 matches, the right-hand batter has smashed 993 runs at an average close to 50 (46.28). This will be the first time since 2014 that Pujara won’t be a part of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
- Location :
Perth, Australia
