We Try To Stay Clear Of Engagement With Virat Kohli: Josh Hazlewood

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has stated that Australia like to avoid any kind of confrontation with India skipper Virat Kohli as it brings out the best in him while he is batting. Australia and India are scheduled to take on each other in a bumper four-match Test series towards the end of the year.

Before that, both the teams are scheduled to play a 3-match T20I series between October 11 and 17. The Test series will then start on December 3. Brisbane will host the series opener while Adelaide will host the 2nd Test, which will be a day-night affair with the pink ball.

“We try to probably stay clear of engagement, obviously. I think that was fully evident throughout the (last Test) series (in 2018),” Josh Hazlewood said while speaking 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,” he added.

Well, Virat Kohli will be one of Australia’s biggest threat this summer as the India star has delivered some of his best performance Down Under. In 12 Tests that he has played in Australia so far, he has scored 1,274 runs at an average of over 55 with the help of 6 centuries and three fifties.

Josh Hazlewood further said that the case is different when Kohli is leading the team out on the field.

“I think it’s a different case if the guys are batting and he’s in the field, you know they can get him engaged there and sort of working 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,” said the pacer.

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