Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood says his team has realised its best chance against Indian skipper and batting great, Virat Kohli, is to stay clear of any form of engagement on the field with him.
In that, they've decided not to get dragged into a sledging war with Kohli, because that can easily backfire against the modern-day genius.
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Hazlewood said this is something they would definitely be implementing if Team India's Test trip to Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy takes place on time.
"We try to probably stay clear of engagement, obviously. I think that was fully evident throughout the (last Test) series (in 2018)," said the fast bowler on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'.
"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."
Hazlewood, however, said things might be different when Kohli isn't batting and is trying to focus as captain with his bowlers and field placements.
"I think it's a different case if the guys (Aussies) are batting and he's in the field, you know they can get him engaged there and sort of work him out a little bit if possible."
"But certainly when he was batting, it was just leaving him to his own devices, and hopefully, we get him in a bit of a switched off mood and take advantage of that."
Australia would do well to not focus solely on Kohli, as they learnt the last time in 2018-19 summer, where No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara dominated the much-vaunted Aussie pace attack for 521 runs at an average of 74.42, including hundreds in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, in India's historic 2-1 Test series win.
"Pujara will grind you down and make you work for his wicket, he really puts a price on his wicket and we saw that last time in Australia," acknowledged Hazlewood.
India is scheduled to travel down under for another exciting four-Test rubber, starting December 3 in Brisbane, followed by matches in Adelaide (Dec 11-15), Melbourne (Dec 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7).
