Perth, Nov 20 (Representative) As Australia readies itself for a high-stakes five-match Test series against India this Australian summer, the hosts are set to face off without a key player who has been central to India’s success in their previous tours: Cheteshwar Pujara. The veteran batsman, who faced over 2200 deliveries and scored 792 runs across eight Tests in Australia, will not feature in the upcoming series, a development that Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood admits is a relief for the hosts. Hazlewood spoke candidly about Pujara’s absence, acknowledging the challenge the Indian batsman posed during past series. “I am happy that Pujara is not here,” Hazlewood admitted. “He’s someone who bats time and makes you earn his wicket. He has done really well in Australia on previous tours.”Pujara’s omission comes as a significant blow to India, especially as the team prepares to face Australia in conditions vastly different from their home turf.In addition to Pujara’s absence, India’s lineup is also facing uncertainty over Shubman Gill’s fitness. Gill, who replaced Pujara at number three in the lineup, is nursing a thumb injury sustained during an intra-squad practice match at WACA. India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, provided an update on Gill’s recovery, stating, “Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will take a call on the morning of the Test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up, so fingers crossed. “Despite these uncertainties, Hazlewood is focused on the opportunity to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a title that has eluded Australia in the last four series against India.
Reflecting on the 2014/15 series, where Australia triumphed 2-0, Hazlewood expressed the team’s desire to reclaim the trophy. “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 of players who were part of the 2014/15 series when we won 2-0,” Hazlewood said. “Everyone is really determined. It’s one that we need to tick off, as a group in particular. “While India has emerged victorious in the last four Test series between the two nations, Hazlewood remains confident that the hosts will rise to the occasion. India’s recent loss to New Zealand at home has further fueled Hazlewood’s belief that the visitors will need to start afresh on Australian soil.” Professional sportspeople can put those losses on the backburner pretty quickly,” Hazlewood noted. “When they are out of India, they might be able to relax a bit more. Not being under the hype of a home Test, they’ll get into Australia, get out and about a little bit, and enjoy their freedom. The conditions are so different, and I think they’ll be hungry and ready to go.”As both teams prepare for what promises to be a gripping series, Hazlewood and Australia remain determined to reclaim the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, setting the stage for an exciting battle when the opening Test in Perth begins.