“People say we played India B in that last Test” – Josh Hazlewood keen to beat India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Australia’s veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is keen to beat India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy. India has registered two back-to-back Test series triumphs against Australia while playing on the Australian soil.

On the 2020-21 tour of Australia, India had their backs against the wall after they were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings at Adelaide. The visitors were without the big names in their squad but bounced back under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane.

India registered wins in Melbourne and Brisbane and won the historic series by 2-1 to stun the potent Australian team.

Meanwhile, Hazlewood has scalped 51 wickets in 15 Test matches against India at an average of 26.94.

Josh Hazelwood said via the ESPNCricinfo, “There are quite a few players who have never beaten India in a Test series. It’s quite astounding to say that. That’s one we need to tick off, definitely, in particular at home – we should pretty much win every series here at home.”

“That last series we obviously bowled them out for 36 in Adelaide and we thought here we go, [we are] back at home [and] confident on these grounds. People say we played India B in that last Test, but they can sometimes be stronger than the best team. They’ve got unbelievable depth in all formats and we are starting to see that now,” he added.

Hazelwood also opened up on the importance of the series against India and said he is looking forward to playing in the WTC final, which he missed in 2023 due to injury.

“It’s always in the background, we have the table up [to see] where we are sitting and what we need to tick off,” he said. “For me, it’s a big one because I didn’t get to play the last one in England so that’s a burning one for me,” he said.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.