"Using his media platform to distract, disrupt, annoy"- Mitchell Johnson slams Indian legend ahead of 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has called out India legend Sunil Gavaskar for his controversial remarks on Josh Hazlewood ahead of the second India-Australia Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. While Hazlewood has been ruled out of the clash with a side strain injury, his comments from the first Test in Perth continue to dominate the headlines.
As Australia were on the verge of a heavy defeat at 12/3 in their run-chase of 534 after Day 3, Hazlewood was posed the question of the team's approach on Day 4. However, he was redirective in his response by saying the question should be asked to the batters instead of him.
Several former players did not take too kindly to his words and suspected a possible division within the Australian camp. Gavaskar went to the extent of even questioning Hazlewood's injury and absence from the second Test by writing the following in his column for Sportstar:
"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."
Meanwhile, Mitchell Johnson has responded to Gavaskar's remarks in his column for 7news.com.au. He wrote (via Hindustan Times):
"With respect to Gavaskar and his commentary in general - I’ve enjoyed working with him in the past and learned a lot just sitting and listening to him talk about the game - his take this week is nothing more than a wind-up. Gavaskar is using his media platform to distract, disrupt, annoy, and take advantage of a comment Hazelwood made."
Despite Australia's massive 295-run defeat in Perth, Hazlewood was among the few bright spots with overall match figures of 5/57.
"I don’t understand why he is commenting on the Australian players" - Mitchell Johnson on Michael Vaughan
![Vaughan was part of the commentary team for the opening India-Australia Test [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/f895e-17334516620515-1920.jpg?w=500)
Mitchell Johnson also slammed former England captain Michael Vaughan for attempting to stir the pot by blowing up Josh Hazlewood's first Test remarks.
Vaughan, who was part of the commentary team for the Perth Test, believed Hazlewood's comments indicated a rift within the Australian camp.
"Everyone has their say now, even people from countries not involved in the Test series they are commentating on such as Michael Vaughan on Fox Cricket. We’ve got an ex-England captain here stirring the pot with his opinions on our Australian players and team ahead of the Ashes next summer. While I understand Vaughan has plenty of experience and knowledge of the game, I don’t understand why he is commenting on the Australian players. His loyalty is with England, not Australia," Johnson wrote in the same column.
Coming to the series, Australia will have to dig themselves out of a 0-1 hole in the best-of-five series to avoid a possible fifth consecutive bilateral Test series defeat to India. A series defeat will also be Australia's third straight at home in Tests against India.