‘Thik fir final me iska wicket mat lena’ – Fans react as Josh Hazlewood heaps praise on Virat Kohli ahead of Test Championship final

With the 16th edition of IPL finally come to an end, the focus has now been shifted to the longest format of the game. India and Australia taking on each other for the Test Championship final at the Oval, England from June 7 to June 11. During the IPL, the players from India and Australia were seen playing together for their respective franchises. Now they will be facing each other to win the Test mace for their country.

Ahead of the big final, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood heaped praise on his IPL teammate and the star Indian batter Virat Kohli for his strong work ethic that makes him different from others. Both Kohli and Hazlewood were seen in action for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023. However, Hazlewood decided to leave the tournament early to begin early preparations for the Test Championship final.

‘He (Kohli) is always out there (training) first and leaves last’ – Hazlewood

“I think it’s probably how hard he works (that stands out). His fitness first of all – and then his skill work and batting and fielding in particular. He is always out there (training) first and leaves last … and the intensity he trains at all the time is at such a high level it drags everyone else along for the ride. That can leak on to the other players and improve them as well,” said Hazlewood as quoted in Hindustan Times.

“I was a bit late getting there (to RCB this year), but before then he was on fire. He is up there at the top of the wickets every time, and the economy rate was probably the thing as bowling at Chinnaswamy (RCB’s home ground) is impossible sometimes and he was going at six or six-and-a-half an over. His control was great and he is bowling well,” he further added.

The number one Test team and the runners up of the previous edition, India are all set to take on the Aussies for the second edition of the Test Championship final. Meanwhile, Australia will be looking to settle scores with the Men in Blue after losing four consecutive Test series against them in 2017, 2018-2019, 2020-21 and 2023.