Hazlewood talks about Kohli’s success ahead of WTC final

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New Delhi | Ahead of the World Test Championship final, Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has played with Virat Kohli on more occasions than him in recent times, revealed what makes the Indian star so good at his craft.

Hazlewood has spent the last two years with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL and the veteran Australia pacer has seen from close quarters why the India great is regarded as one of the best batsmen in world cricket.

While Hazlewood – if selected for the final – will do everything he can to pick up the crucial wicket of Kohli and give Australia glory in the ICC World Test Championship final. The fast bowler has spent the last two years closely watching the India star and trying to get a sense of why he is so good.

The 32-year-old Australian feels it is Kohli’s strong work ethic that keeps the India batsman ahead of the rest and allows him to remain one of the most prized batsmen in Test cricket.

“I think (what stands out) is how hard he works. First of all his fitness – and then his skill work and especially batting and fielding,” Hazlewood told the ICC.

“He is always there (training) first and goes last and the intensity with which he trains every time is at a high level,” he added.

Kohli is not the only World Test Championship rival who has impressed Hazlewood at RCB, with in-form pacer Mohammed Siraj, another IPL teammate of the Australian, whom he will play in the one-off Test at The Oval from June 7. I will descend to defeat.

Siraj was the leading wicket-taker for RCB in the recently concluded IPL season with 19 wickets in 14 matches and Hazlewood is aware that the right-arm Indian pacer is capable with the red-ball as well.

Hazlewood said, “I was a little late to get there (at RCB this year), but before that he was on fire. He is at the top of the wickets every time, and the economy rate is probably better at Chinnaswamy (RCB’s home ground). ) and he was going for six or six and a half overs.”

“He had very good control and he is bowling well,” he added.

After his disappointing stint in the IPL this year due to a side strain, Hazlewood is nearing full fitness and is determined to make a comeback against India, against whom he has an excellent record.

The Australian bowler has more Test five-wicket hauls against India (five) than any other country and his record in England is equally impressive with a total of 36 wickets in eight matches at an average of 23.58.

Hazlewood also made his Test debut against India at The Gabba in Brisbane in 2014 – and has played more Tests against an Asian team (15) than any other team.

Hazlewood said modestly, “It’s a strange statistic considering I’ve played enough cricket against him now.”

“It will be interesting to play them here in England. It will be interesting for both teams how they go about it and how different it is to play them in Australia or India because usually you only play them there,” he added.

“It’s exciting stuff and everyone is looking forward to next week,” Hazlewood said.

–IANS

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