Sledging and marauding not part of our plans to tackle Kohli: Josh Hazlewood

India’s tour of Australia is a lot more intense than any other series. The two teams play with a lot of intent and Australia have had just one mantra they play to win. While doing that they try to get under the skin of the opposition, there are mind games played well ahead of the start of the matches. Sledging has also been one of their go-to options but it doesn’t necessarily work in their favour against Virat Kohli‘s team.

Ahead of the first Test match of the series Aussie pacer, Josh Hazlewood stressed on the fact that they have their plans in order to keep Kohli in check and said that it all depends on the conditions. The seamer also mentioned that sledging and the eye for an eye marauding is not a part of their plans since the Indian captain thrives on it.

“I think we’ll obviously have a chat about him before the game starts. We’ll come up with a couple of options. It’s about what the conditions suit, with the player of that calibre, you need a few options. Virat obviously thrives on that sort of stuff (sledging and marauding). It gets him going and probably plays his best cricket when he’s doing that. It’s up to the individual – if it’s a bowler or a fielder. I’m usually quiet when I’m bowling.” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by the Indian Express

Kohli needs to be kept grounded and quiet

The New South Wales born-quick, who is the biggest threat in Australia’s pace attack addressed the hype around Kohli by saying that tourists’ batting revolves largely around their skipper and that if they manage to keep him quiet, the job for the Baggy Greens will be relatively easy.

“I see the Indian line-up as the best in the world, if not right up there, led by Virat, and I think they feed a lot off him and how he goes about things. They have played a lot at home since the time they last played in Australia. They played in England and South Africa, and it was only Virat who stood out. A lot of the others haven’t scored too many runs,” Hazlewood further said.

The four-match Test series gets underway at the Adelaide Oval on December 6 and is seen as the Indian team’s best opportunity to win a Test series down under.

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