Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of Second Test Against India Due to Side Strain, Abbott and Doggett Join Squad

Australia's star pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India due to a side strain. This will be Hazlewood's first absence from a home Test against India, marking a significant blow to the Australian bowling attack. Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood will miss the Day-Night Test scheduled to begin on December 6.

Hazlewood has never missed a home Test against India due to injury before, and this will be his first such absence. In his place, uncapped players Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad for the pink-ball Test.

It is expected that Scott Boland will be Hazlewood’s likely replacement in the playing XI. Boland's most recent Test appearance was in 2023 during the Ashes series in Leeds.

Abbott and Doggett, both of whom have been in and around the squad in recent years, were previously reserve players in the Ashes squad. Abbott was part of the squad during the 2020-21 home series against India, and Doggett was included during the UAE tour in 2028 against Pakistan.

Hazlewood was the standout bowler for Australia in the opening Test of the series, taking 5 wickets for 57 runs in Perth. This will be his first missed Test since Headingley during the 2023 Ashes.

India started the series with a massive 295-run victory, and the second Test will be held in Adelaide, starting on December 6, with a pink-ball fixture.

Australia Squad for the Second Test:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, and Brendan Doggett.