Josh Hazlewood, the Australian pacer, has stated that the entire squad is determined to defeat India in the upcoming BGT 2024. Australia has lost their last two Test series at home to India in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
In fact, Australia has not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15 and India has had the better of them both at home and away.
When Australia last bested India in a Test series, Josh Hazlewood made his debut in the longest format, as the hosts wrapped up a 2-0 win from four Tests.
Speaking to the reporters ahead of the Perth Test, Hazlewood said, “I know there’s a lot of guys in the squad that have never beaten India in a Test series. Obviously, we’ve beaten them in the World Test Championship Final but there are only a couple others who were there when we beat them 2-0 back in 2014/15. Yeah, everyone is really determined. It’s sort of one that we need to tick off, as a group in particular.”
This time India is visiting Australian shores after an embarrassing white-wash by New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home.
Despite that, Josh Hazlewood believes that India will be starting afresh under different conditions and a more relaxing atmosphere around the team.
“We have had overseas losses and then come and played some good cricket. I think professional sportspersons can put those losses on the backburner pretty quickly these days and learn from it.
In particular, when they are out of India, they might be able to relax a bit more. You know, not being under the hype of a home Test. Get into Australia, get out and about a little bit, relax, and enjoy their freedom a little bit. The conditions being so different, it’s sort of a fresh start as well. I think they’ll be hungry, they’ll be ready to go,” Hazlewood added.
Hazlewood also confessed that veteran Cheteshwar Pujara is missing from this Indian squad. Pujara has faced over 2200 deliveries and amassed 792 runs across eight Tests in Australia and Hazlewood stated that it was a relief for Australian pacers.
“I am happy that Puj (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,” he added.
The second Test will be played in day-night format, under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10 following the series opener in Perth on November 22.
Next, from December 14 to 18, fans will focus on the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. The concluding part of the series will be the classic Boxing Day Test, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will host the fifth and final Test from January 3–7.
(ICC inputs)
