Josh Hazlewood will now not play in the remaining 3 matches of the T20I series. (Photo-Santanu Banik/MB Media/Getty Images)

India vs Australia: Australia registered a spectacular win in Melbourne after the first match of the 5-match T20I series was canceled due to rain. In this match, the host team's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood bowled brilliantly and destroyed the top order of Team India. However, despite this brilliant performance, Hazlewood will not play in the remaining three matches of this series. A big reason for this has come to light. Team India has got a big relief due to Hazlewood not playing.

Why will Josh Hazlewood not play the remaining matches?

Australia's fast bowlers performed brilliantly in the second T20I match. Josh Hazlewood The remaining matches of the 5 T20I series will not be played. In view of the Ashes Test series starting in late November, Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to rest Hazlewood, so that he remains fully fit for this tough five-Test series.

Hazlewood had sent 3 players to the pavilion after giving only 13 runs in 4 overs against India in Melbourne. His brilliant bowling has been highly praised by Team India's opening batsman Abhishek Sharma.

What did Abhishek Sharma say?

Veteran batsman after the second T20I match played in Melbourne Abhishek Sharma Praised Hazlewood's brilliant bowling. However, Abhishek Sharma was unaware that Hazlewood would not be available for the remaining three matches.

When Abhishek was asked about this in the post-match press conference in Melbourne, he said, "Oh, isn't he a part of this series now, I didn't know that! But obviously, he is a good enough player to play in all formats. Still, I enjoyed the challenge because as a batsman you have to face the best bowlers and that's what I was trying to do."

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

Australia's bowling will be severely tested in the absence of Hazlewood, as the team can turn to Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis or Sean Abbott to fill the gap.