Josh Hazlewood dropped for Adelaide Test for exposing dressing room rift, feels Sunil Gavaskar

The Australian cricket team is currently facing mounting scrutiny following Josh Hazlewood’s sudden exclusion from the second Test against India due to a reported side strain. Now, Sunil Gavaskar has added fuel to the fire, saying there is a mystery behind Hazlewood’s snub for the Day-Night Test.

Josh Hazlewood, who appeared fine during a press interaction on Day 3 of the Perth Test, stunned the cricket world with his statement that hinted at possible cracks in the Australian dressing room.

Sunil Gavaskar questions Josh Hazlewood’s sudden snub for the Day-Night Test

Well, the timing of the Australian pacer’s injury has raised many eyebrows, particularly after his blunt remarks during a recent media interaction, with some even speculating about deeper issues within the team.

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Ahead of the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval, the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out the striking similarities to situations that once plagued Indian cricket, where sudden injuries or decisions often masked internal cracks.

The former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar highlighted panic among the Australian players, as they scrambled for solutions following their crushing 295-run loss to India in the ongoing five-match Test series opener. Gavaskar has noted that the response from former Australian players, some of whom are calling for drastic changes, reflects the growing pressure on the hosts.

Mystery, mystery and I’m simply loving it: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar: "The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, what with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and some even hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s media interview at the end of the third day’s play, where he suggested that it was up to the batters to now do something."

Sunil Gavaskar added, "Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference. Mystery, mystery—the like of which used to be common in Indian cricket in the past. Now it’s the Aussies, and like old McDonald, I’m simply loving it."

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Notably, the Australian cricket team suffered a major blow ahead of the second Test against India at Adelaide Oval, as seasoned pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Day-Night Test match due to a "low-grade left side injury.".

However, the Australian team management has decided to keep Josh Hazlewood with the squad as he works towards recovery for the remainder of the ongoing five-match Test series against India.

Australia called up Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett for Adelaide Test

Notably, the 33-year-old pacer was a standout performer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 opener at Perth, grabbing five wickets, including a superb four-wicket haul in the first innings.

However, Australia suffered a heavy 295-run defeat in just four days, leaving them trailing by 0-1 in the ongoing five-match Test series against the Indian cricket team. With Hazlewood out, Scott Boland appears to be the front-runner for the Adelaide Test, thanks to his ability to deliver consistent spells that make him an ideal replacement for the day-night Test.

Australia also called up Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett for the second Test against India, starting on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval. Abbott has made his mark in white-ball internationals with 46 matches under his belt but is yet to make his Test debut, while the uncapped bowler Doggett has 142 wickets in 40 first-class games, impressing all with his raw pace and an ability to swing the ball.