Australia vs India: Josh Hazlewood not much focused on Virat Kohli but the other Indian batsman

Australia have got the Perth Test in their grasp and with five wickets needed to win, it is only a matter of time on the fifth day when they will level the series. Chasing a mammoth total of 287 runs, India ended the day on 112/5 with two young players battling it out in the middle while the other big guns are already back in the hut. While many felt Virat Kohli’s wicket was the most important one for Australia, Josh Hazlewood doesn’t think in the same way.

He was delighted to see the back of Cheteshwar Pujara who had hurt them in Adelaide with a century and half-century. Pujara could only score four runs in the second innings and got a good nut from Hazlewood as the fast bowler made it clear that he was focused more on India’s number three than Kohli.

When asked in the press conference about the same, Hazlewood was quick to say that his job was to get Pujara out while bowling. “No, I don’t think so. I actually focus more on Cheteshwar Pujara when I am bowling,” Hazlewood said at the end of day’s play.

India staring down the barrel

After registering a superb win in Adelaide, India got everything wrong in Perth. Right from the selection to the batting, no one except Virat Kohli stood up. Playing without a specialist spinner on a pitch where Nathan Lyon turning the bat at will was a huge blunder and even the Indian captain will admit it. Though one would also feel that the visitors botched up the chance of taking a decent lead in the first innings after being 172/3 after second day’s play.

But the Aussie pacers Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins along with Lyon didn’t deter and made an excellent comeback to eke out a crucial 43-run lead which seems to be the decisive now.

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