Josh Hazlewood Names Indian Stalwart Whom Australians 'Love To Hate'

Cheteshwar Pujara, regarded as one of the most reliable Indian batters in the longest format, has scored over 7,000 runs from 102 Tests with help of 19 tons and 35 fifties.

Cheteshwar Pujara couldn't score big in the entire four-match IND vs AUS Test series but still had some vital contributions. ( Image Source :PTI )

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood named Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara as the Indian cricketer whom Australians 'love to hate'. In the recently-concluded India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pujara scripted history by playing 100 Test matches for India. The 35-year-old star batter couldn't score big in the entire four-match Test series but still had some vital contributions. In this series, Pujara also crossed the 2000-run mark in Border-Gavaskar Trophy's history to join Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Rahul Dravid in the elite list.

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Pujara, regarded as one of the most reliable Indian batters in the longest format, has scored over 7,000 runs from 102 Tests with help of 19 tons and 35 fifties.

During a conversation with RCB podcast on Tuesday, Hazlewood said that Pujara is someone Australians "love to hate".

"It's a bigger thrill for the the bowlers (to dismiss Pujara). I think when you do end up getting his wicket, it means you have earned it," Hazlewood said on RCB podcast on Tuesday.

"It means you've put in a lot of hard work. Whether it is the fifth ball he (Pujara) faces... you've already bowled to him in the previous Test matches, you've earned that respect and you've earned that wicket," added Hazlewood, who was RCB's pace spearhead during IPL 2022, taking 20 wickets.

Hazlewood said that he had some great tussles with the Indian stalwart, adding that he was a fantastic player.

"He's someone I've had some great tussles over the years, and, in particular, in Australia. He's someone Australians love to hate but he's a fantastic player and I guess that is part of Test cricket. When you do get him out, you've earned it," said Hazlewood, whose participation in IPL 2023 could be in doubt because of the tendon injury.

(With PTI Inputs)