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When two cricketing giants like India and Australia clash in an ODI, the individual contests often determine the rhythm and momentum of the match. Among the most compelling of these is the ongoing battle between Virat Kohli, India’s former captain and one of the game’s finest chasers, and Australia’s metronomic fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood, with his immaculate line and length, relentless consistency, and ability to extract steep bounce, is the silent but deadly force in Australia’s pace attack. His duel with Kohli is a modern-day subplot in the India-Australia ODI saga, and it’s one that consistently holds the cricketing world’s attention.
The duel between Virat Kohli vs Josh Hazlewood in ODI cricket
The Kohli-Hazlewood contest is a fascinating clash of contrasting styles, precision versus patience, dominance versus control. Kohli, who thrives on punishing anything loose, looks to dictate terms in the middle order. Hazlewood, however, is the master of restraint, operating with pinpoint accuracy and testing Kohli’s technique and patience, particularly outside the off-stump. Hazlewood’s strategy is to stifle Kohli’s run rate, forcing the Indian maestro into uncomfortable positions, often resulting in forced errors.
For Australia, Hazlewood is key to dismantling the Indian middle order, with Kohli’s prized wicket at the top of his hit list. It’s a tactical battle where Hazlewood’s relentless pressure takes away Kohli’s freedom, leading to a struggle in finding gaps and scoring freely. As Kohli attempts to shift gears, Hazlewood’s discipline ensures he keeps the run rate in check, creating a pressure cooker situation for the Indian superstar.
The statistical battle in ODIs between Kohli and Hazlewood
The numbers provide a clear narrative of how Hazlewood has been a thorn in Kohli’s side in ODIs. In their 9 encounters, the Australian pacer has consistently been the more dominant force. Here’s the breakdown:
| Metric | Virat Kohli vs. Josh Hazlewood (ODIs) |
|---|---|
| Innings Faced | 9 |
| Total Balls Faced | 98 |
| Runs Scored | 58 |
| Dismissals (Wickets) | 5 |
| Batting Average | 11.60 |
| Batting Strike Rate | 59.18 |
| Dot Balls | 57 |
| Balls Per Wicket | 19.60 |
Hazlewood has dismissed Kohli 5 times in just 9 innings. The low batting average of 11.60 and modest strike rate of 59.18 show that Kohli struggles to score freely against Hazlewood. These numbers underline Hazlewood’s ability to choke Kohli’s natural game, turning a player famed for his aggressive, fast-paced scoring into someone who is forced to dig in and defend. Hazlewood, in this duel, has consistently breached Kohli’s formidable defense, showcasing his tactical brilliance and control.
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Mind games and psychological edge: Kohli vs Hazlewood
There’s a significant psychological dimension to this rivalry. Hazlewood’s elite average of 11.60 against Kohli highlights the mental mastery he’s developed over the Indian batting legend. For a premier fast bowler, maintaining such numbers against a player of Kohli’s stature is a mark of exceptional accuracy and strategic brilliance. Hazlewood’s ability to suppress Kohli’s scoring and continuously create wicket-taking opportunities places him in the driver’s seat when it comes to this head-to-head matchup.
The low strike rate from Kohli tells its own story, Hazlewood’s disciplined line and length prevent Kohli from dictating the tempo of the innings. By keeping Kohli quiet, Hazlewood builds immense pressure on the Indian batsman, forcing mistakes not just from Kohli but also from the other batters who follow. This ability to frustrate one of cricket’s greatest players makes Hazlewood a consistent match-winner for Australia. In the high-stakes world of Australia vs India ODIs, Hazlewood’s dominance over Kohli often acts as a momentum-shifting factor, tipping the scales in Australia’s favour.
In the realm of ODI cricket, few rivalries are as riveting as the one between Kohli and Hazlewood. The numbers speak for themselves, and Hazlewood’s consistent success against Kohli reinforces the precision versus aggression dynamic at play. With an average of 11.60 and a balls-per-wicket ratio of 19.60, Hazlewood’s tactics have forced Kohli into uncomfortable territory, making this a truly unfavorable matchup for the Indian batters.
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