Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood on Saturday revealed that his crew likes to keep away from any form of confrontation with India skipper Virat Kohli as it brings out the best in him whereas he’s batting.
India are slated to start their tour of Australia in October as they’re scheduled to play a 3-match T20I sequence between October 11 and 17.
The much-anticipated 4-Test sequence will kickstart from December 3. Brisbane will host the sequence opener whereas Adelaide will host the 2nd Test, which will likely be a day-night affair with the pink ball.
Speaking on Star Sports present Cricket Connected, Hazlewood talked about bowling to Kohli.
“We try to probably stay clear of engagement, obviously. I think that was fully evident throughout the (last Test) series (in 2018),” Hazlewood stated.
“I think he likes to get in that tussle and it probably brings out the best in him, especially when he’s batting, that was always a no-go-zone for the bowlers.”
Also, Hazlewood stated that the case is totally different when Kohli is main the crew out on the area.
“I think it’s a different case if the guys are batting and he’s in the field, you know they can get him engaged there and sort of working him out a little bit if possible.
“…however definitely when he was batting, it was simply leaving him to his personal units, and hopefully, we get him in a bit of a switched off temper and take benefit of that,” the pacer said, referring to the planned upcoming engagements.
Hazlewood also admitted that Cheteshwar Pujara is one player who wears down the bowlers with his workman-like approach to batting.
“Pujara will grind you down and make you’re employed for his wicket, he actually places a value on his wicket and we noticed that final time in Australia.”
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