Sunil Gavaskar believes the panic in Australian team environment is very much evident, citing Josh Hazlewood’s comments, after losing to India by 295 runs in the first Test at Perth. Sunil Gavaskar asserted that Australia have already hit the panic button with Josh Hazlewood getting ruled out of the pink-ball Test.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels there is some mystery about Josh Hazlewood’s side strain injury as the Australia pacer is ruled out of the second Test against India. Hazlewood made a comment during a press conference on Day 3, which triggered speculation of tensions within the Australian dressing room, with many questioning the unity in the team.
Speculations of rift in the Australian dressing room amidst defeat vs India
Australia suffered a dismal 295-run defeat at the hands of India in the first Test in Perth, which was triggered immense criticism of the hosts. On Sunday, as Australia looked at a brink of defeat at the end of Day 3, there were suggestions of rift in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s pointy remark in the press conference.
When Hazlewood was asked about Australia’s approach in the opening Test, he suggested the question should be asked to the batters; former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist wasn’t particularly pleased with the response. The Aussie great stated that it showed signs of potential “divide” between batters and bowlers in the dressing room.
Pat Cummins, however, has now come clean on the claims, stating that the unit is together and that the players “look after each other.” Australian skipper Pat Cummins has dismissed speculations of divide in the dressing room after the 295-run loss to India at Perth Stadium on November 25. Former cricketers-turned-commentators Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan speculated a division in the team after pacer Josh Hazlewood left it to batters as Australia struggled for 12/3 at the end of Day 3.
Josh Hazlewood has a fine record in Pink Ball Tests, with the 33-year-old taking 5/8 in five overs in the day-night Test against India in the 2020-21 series when the visitors were bundled out for 36. Cricket Australia has stated that Hazlewood has a side strain and has officially been ruled out of the Adelaide Test. Sunil Gavaskar however feels some conspiracy behind the same as the news comes just days after his press conference remark.
Sunil Gavaskar believes the hosts are feeling the heat after 1st BGT 2024-25 Test defeat to India
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar believes Australia are in panic mode after their massive 295-run defeat to Team India in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth. Having lost their previous four bilateral Test series to India, Australia were expected to continue the unbeaten streak in Tests at the Perth Stadium.
However, they came apart with bat and ball to suffer a thumping defeat, falling 0-1 behind in the best-of-five series. Beyond the on-field struggles, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood’s controversial remarks on the Aussie batters at the end of Day 3 raised eyebrows.
When asked how Australia would plan for their target of 534 from 12/3, Hazlewood nonchalantly stated the question should be thrown at the batters. The comments left several former players hinting at a possible divide within the Australian side.
In his column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar felt Hazlewood’s comments and the reactions to them in the aftermath of Australia’s massive defeat indicated panic within their ranks.
“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,” he said.
Sunil Gavaskar further questioned Hazlewood being mysteriously ruled out of the second Test with a side strain by saying:
“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.”
Josh Hazlewood bowled 34 overs in the Perth Test and picked up five wickets to finish as the pick of the Aussie bowlers. His absence will be a massive blow to Australia as they look to bounce back in the second Test at Adelaide, starting Friday, December 6.
Uncapped seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been called into the squad as cover, Cricket Australia said on Saturday. However, Scott Boland is the favorite to replace Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI for the pink-ball Test after he represented the Prime Minister’s XI side in the warm-up match. He also picked up a five-wicket-haul against India at last year’s World Test Championship final.