NEW DELHI: Australia’s Travis Head has dismissed Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar‘s remarks about Josh Hazlewood‘s side strain injury, calling them “pretty funny” and suggesting they were an attempt to stir controversy after Australia’s heavy defeat in the first Test against India in Perth.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, but Gavaskar questioned the injury’s timing in his column, hinting that the fast bowler might have been dropped for comments critical of the Australian batters during a media conference.
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Gavaskar labeled the development “strange” and “a mystery,” drawing parallels to controversies from Indian cricket’s past.
Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Head downplayed the comments. “I was surprised at Sunny’s comments. They were pretty funny,” he said. “He’s in the entertainment business as a few teams around the world would say. He’s in the commentary team. If that makes it more fun for him, then go for it.”
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Head brushed off the suggestion of any internal divide in the Australian team, adding, “Dropping ‘Hoff’ (Hazlewood) and throwing a couple of daggers and shooting across the bow, but who cares? It is what it is. Everyone is paid to have an opinion.”
Gavaskar had previously speculated that Hazlewood’s absence might be linked to fallout from his remarks following Australia’s dismal batting display in Perth, where they were bowled out for 104 in the first innings despite dismissing India for 150.
After the match, Hazlewood had pointedly said, “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question,” when queried about the team’s failure to capitalise.
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