Veteran Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood recently lauded India captain Rohit Sharma’s skills in Test cricket ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Hazlewood also added that his ploys have often failed against the opening batter, and he also credited Rohit for his timing and shot selection as well.
Hazlewood told Star Sports: “I remember one time India came out, he battled at 5 or 6 and then last time he opened. He’s faced the new ball a lot. I feel like he plays the quicks unbelievably well. The bounce doesn’t seem to worry him, the movement doesn’t. He’s got all the time in the world. So, I find him quite tough to bowl to.”
However, Rohit Sharma loves playing against Australia. The right-handed batter has scored 3571 runs across formats against them, with nine centuries. In Tests, the veteran has scored 708 runs in 12 Tests against the Aussies. In Australia, he has 408 runs in seven Tests as well.
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Meanwhile, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon told Star Sports (via The Times of India): “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant are probably going to be the three really big ones. But then you’ve still got Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Jadeja, and who else will come out—another five, I’m not sure. But it’s a pretty amazing line-up they’ve got, so it’s going to be a massive challenge. As I said, if we, as a bowling group, are good enough for long periods, hopefully, we can challenge their defence.”
On the other hand, Basit Ali opened up on Australia’s mind games before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India as well.
“They are all playing mind games, be it Pat Cummins, Ricky Ponting or Adam Gilchrist. They are scared of Bumrah, Shami, Rohit and Virat. Remember my words. They are afraid of these four names. Rishabh Pant has scored runs in Australia. They are playing mind games by indicating that they are targeting Pant. I have played in Australia and understand their mindset. They are showing one thing and thinking something else from inside. It is still insufficient. According to me, his winning percentage is not enough. Australia are the only team that can give India a tough fight to India, the rest are all children.”
