IND vs AUS: Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of Adelaide Test, Scott Boland Likely Replacement

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, set to take place in Adelaide. Hazlewood sustained a low-grade left-side strain during the first Test and will remain with the squad in Adelaide to recover, according to a statement from Cricket Australia.

To bolster their squad, Australia has added Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, who are yet to make their Test debuts. Scott Boland is likely to replace Hazlewood in the playing XI for the pink-ball day-night Test.

Hazlewood, a seasoned campaigner, made his Test debut against India in 2014 and has since taken 278 wickets in 71 matches at an economy rate of 2.77. Against India, he has claimed 56 wickets in 16 Tests at an economy of 2.48. His absence will be a significant blow to Australia, especially after his impressive 4/29 in the first innings of the Perth Test.

India leads the series 1-0 after a commanding 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth. Despite being bowled out for just 150 in the first innings, India bounced back to restrict Australia to 104, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 5/30 and debutant Harshit Rana contributing 3/48.

In the second innings, India dominated, with KL Rahul (77) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) adding a 201-run opening stand. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century (100*) further solidified India’s position, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs.

Australia faltered in their chase despite valiant efforts from Travis Head (89) and Mitchell Marsh (47), eventually folding for 238. Bumrah, with 3/42 in the second innings, was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his eight-wicket haul across the Test.

The Adelaide Test, a pink-ball encounter, promises another intense battle between the two sides. With Hazlewood unavailable, Australia’s bowling lineup will look to regroup and counter India’s momentum. Meanwhile, India will aim to extend their lead in the series, capitalizing on their comprehensive performance in Perth.

Australia Squad (for 2nd Test): Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal.