Abhishek Sharma left stunned as Josh Hazlewood pulls out from the upcoming T20I clash with India

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was stunned to learn that Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s leading fast bowler, would be missing all remaining matches. This news came immediately after Australia’s brilliant win in the second T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 30, 2025. Hazlewood’s decision to withdraw to focus on the Ashes caught Sharma, who had been battling with the bowler’s accuracy, off guard and thinking about the different challenge it provided.

Abhishek Sharma stunned as Josh Hazlewood’s series exit revealed mid press conference

During the press conference, an Australian journalist informed Sharma about Hazlewood’s upcoming exit. The fast bowler, an essential part of Australia’s white-ball team, will be stepping back after the second T20I to concentrate on Sheffield Shield games, working on his match fitness for the Ashes series in 2025-26 that kicks off in November. This choice fits into Australia’s plan to focus on Test readiness, especially considering Hazlewood’s past injury issues and his crucial position in the red-ball game.

Abhishek Sharma got absolute donuts out of Travis Head, but his reaction to finding out Josh Hazlewood wasn't playing the rest of this series was priceless 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/mMaz0fAnQN

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2025

At first, Sharma couldn’t believe it, and that disbelief was all over those viral clips that went viral on social media. When a reporter asked him something, he made a witty remark, “Oh, is he? I didn’t know that!” before adding thoughtfully, “Obviously. I mean, he is good enough to play all the formats, but still, I was enjoying this challenge.”

He later added, “Somehow, as a batter, you have to play world-class bowlers, and that was what I was trying to do.” His honest reply, shared with a blend of humor and respect, went viral in no time, racking up more than a million views on sites like X and Instagram within just a few hours.

Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive batting style meets its match against Josh Hazlewood’s tight lengths

Abhishek’s shocked response was due to more than just being surprised, it showed how deeply Hazlewood influenced his mindset throughout the series. As a highly aggressive opener who excels at taking control early, Sharma rarely faces bowlers capable of maintaining pressure without giving away runs.

Hazlewood’s skill in bowling precise lines outside off and subtly changing his pace made Sharma adopt an unusually cautious approach. In the second T20I, for instance, Sharma managed to get through a challenging over from Hazlewood but failed to turn it into boundaries, which is quite different from his typical aggressive style.

The setting of this series deepens Sharma’s respect. India came into the five-match T20I series following a drawn ODI series, hoping to regain some momentum before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Hazlewood, returning from a minor injury, bowled like a seasoned Test match player in T20 conditions giving away just 26 runs in eight overs during the series while taking four wickets.

For Sharma, who has faced elite bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood’s traditional accuracy felt refreshingly new. “I was enjoying this challenge because… as a batter, you have to play world-class bowlers,” Sharma elaborated to the media, emphasizing how such duels sharpen his skills.

This vibe resonates with larger talks in Indian cricket circles. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, while chatting on a Facebook Live session with Cricafe, made a joke about the matchup, “If Abhishek Sharma is in form, Hazlewood will be out of form. The way he bats, he is known to hit the first ball for a four or a six.” Yet, Hazlewood flipped the script, leaving Sharma not just checked but inspired.

Abhishek Sharma’s reaction isn’t just about being surprised; it highlights the respect that young Indian players are beginning to have for accurate bowlers like Josh Hazlewood. In a period where power-hitting and short boundaries are the norm, Hazlewood’s disciplined method reminded Sharma that genuine class in cricket usually comes from control and consistency.