AUS v IND 2018-19: Getting Virat Kohli out early will be key to control the best batting line-up in the world, says Josh Hazlewood

Australia vice-captain feels early breakthroughs will hold the key in the Down Under.

Australia is making plans for Kohli and his team | Getty Images

Australian vice-captain Josh Hazlewood said on Monday (December 3) that Virat Kohli-led Indian batting line-up is the best in the world, but it can be kept in check by pressurizing the talismanic right-hander, as they are gearing up for the upcoming four-match Test series, starting from December 6 in Adelaide.

Reflecting on the fact that Kohli was the only batsman who shined in England and South Africa with willow in the Indian line-up and the hosts would be certainly looking to take advantage of it.

The dashing right-hander had amassed 692 runs, including four centuries, during their last Australia Test tour.

Hazlewood told media, “I see the Indian line-up as the best in the world if not right up there, led by Virat and I think they feed a lot off him and how he goes about things. They’ve played a lot at home since we played them last in Australia. They toured England and South Africa, and it was only Virat who stood out. A lot of the other [batsmen] haven’t scored too many of the runs.”

Meanwhile, the leading paceman has insisted that the strategies to control Kohli don’t include sledging. He further added on the same, “Virat obviously thrives on that sort of stuff. It gets him going and he probably plays his best cricket when he’s doing that. It’s up to the individual — if it’s a bowler or a fielder. I am usually pretty quiet when I am bowling.”

Hazlewood admitted that early breakthroughs will hold the key and said, “If we can make some early inroads in this first Test, it’s always crucial and the first innings. If we can get on top of them early, hopefully, that will filter through the rest of the Test. I think it’s pretty even. They’re obviously [the] No. 1 Test team in the world but we play some good cricket at home. So I think it’s very even heading this.”

(With Press Trust India Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 03 Dec, 2018

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