"More focused on the newer players we haven't played much Test cricket against like Jaiswal and even Shubman Gill"- Josh Hazlewood on BGT 2024-25
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood said that the side would be more focussed on India's newer players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home. India and Australia will face off in a highly anticipated five-match series, starting in Perth on November 22.
The Aussies will enter the series with much on the line, having lost their previous two home Test series against India in 2018-19 and 2020-21. While several Indian batters have played the Australian attack on numerous occasions, the upcoming tour will be Jaiswal's first taste of Test cricket against them.
Looking ahead to the marquee series, Hazlewood told Star Sports as quoted by The Telegraph:
"The strategy is probably more focused on the newer players we haven't played much Test cricket against, like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal and even Shubman Gill, who we've only faced a few times. We've played against Virat (Kohli), Rohit (Sharma), and others for years, so we know what to do. The plan doesn't really change that often. It's about the basics; doing them well and for a long time."
Despite Hazlewood mentioning him as one of the newer players, Gill has played six Tests against Australia, including three in Australia. He averages an impressive 44.40 with a century and two half-centuries.
"We usually find that, 9 out of 10 times, Test cricket comes back to that Plan A" - Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood feels Test cricket often comes down to executing the initial plan for extended periods rather having more than one plans.
The 33-year-old has been an epitomy of the above with his relentless line and length day in and day out resulting in incredible Test numbers with 273 wickets at an average of under 25 in 70 outings.
"We usually find that, 9 out of 10 times, Test cricket comes back to that Plan A. You adapt to conditions and change things throughout the day or innings, but most of the time, it's about executing that plan," said Hazlewood.
Despite the poor bilateral series record in Tests in recent years, Australia defeated India the last time two teams met in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, Hazlewood missed that game due to an injury.
Yet, he boasts an excellent record in Tests against India with 51 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 26.94, including four five-wicket hauls.