Few player absences in recent tours have generated as much noise as Virat Kohli missing the upcoming trip to Australia. To be present for the birth of his first child, Kohli has opted for paternity leave, which rules him out of the final three Test matches. Consequently, Ajinkya Rahane is slated to take over the captaincy duties.
With a solid track record leading India A, Rahane is well-prepared to guide the team to a series win. His leadership style provides a distinct alternative to Kohli's; while Virat leads with intensity and passion, Rahane is characterized by his steady and calm demeanor.
Discussing his approach to the Indian top order, Australia's Josh Hazlewood emphasized the importance of precision, stating that his focus remains on hitting the correct lengths to dismiss any batter, whether it be Pujara or Kohli.
Hazlewood mentioned that while the competitive fire Kohli brings often inspires bowlers to elevate their own game, he prefers to maintain a consistent approach toward all batsmen, regardless of how much energy they bring to the crease.
Regarding Cheteshwar Pujara, Hazlewood observed that his mastery of slow Indian tracks makes him incredibly difficult to dismiss in those conditions. He views the battle with Pujara as a game of attrition, where the winner is simply the one who remains patient the longest.