Cheteshwar Pujara Responds To Josh Hazlewood's Warning In A Cheeky Manner

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has already got a strategy in place when it comes to countering reliable batter Cheteshwar Pujara. India are currently playing New Zealand in a Test series. They will tour Australia in December to take part in yet another mouth-watering contest.

Thanks for the heads up Josh, I might have to include it in my preparation ??? https://t.co/GILpI2dXUn

— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) February 20, 2020

Hazlewood recently told a reporter that he has saved the ‘Mankad’ dismissal for Pujara. The Indian cricketer was the chief architect, last time the two sides met in red-ball cricket. Pujara plundered 521 runs from seven innings at a staggering average of 74.42.

The Mankad mode of dismissal has been named after India’s Vinoo Mankad, who incidentally ran-out Australia’s Bill Brown in the 1948 tour. This particular form of dismissal is very much legal, going by the rules. But there has always been difference of opinion.

Hazlewood said,  “I have saved that (Mankad dismissal) for Pujara on the flat wicket of MCG,” the 29-year-old seamer said on the red carpet of the Cricket Australia Awards. Pujara saw the lighter side of it and responded to it by thanking the bowler for the heads-up.

Pujara’s cheeky reply to Hazlewood’s warning

“Thanks for the heads up Josh, I might have to include it in my preparation,” Pujara tweeted. The cricketer is currently facing a string Kiwi attack in Wellington. Pujara hit a composed 93 in the warm-up game ahead of the first Test. But as things stand, he failed to make it count in the ongoing Test match in Wellington.

Thanks for the heads up Josh, I might have to include it in my preparation ??? https://t.co/GILpI2dXUn

— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) February 20, 2020

India were bundled out for mere 165 and Pujara could add just 11 runs to the total. New Zealand have taken a lead of 51 runs and they were on 216/5 at stumps on day 2. If India are to make a comeback in the game, Pujara will have to take the onus on himself and bail India out of trouble- something which he has done on several occasions.