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Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood has provided an optimistic fitness update ahead of the third Test against India, expressing his hope to make a return to the playing XI at the Gabba in Brisbane. Hazlewood, who has been sidelined due to a side strain, missed Australia’s comprehensive 10-wicket victory in Adelaide, a win that leveled the five-match series at 1-1 and kept the hosts' hopes alive for a spot in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final.

Hazlewood, who claimed a four-wicket haul in the first Test at Perth, was seen undergoing rigorous fitness tests on Monday in Adelaide. The fast bowler’s return will depend on how his body responds in the coming days, particularly the recovery period following his intense workout. 

"It's all about how I pull up in the next 24 hours," Hazlewood said in an interview with ICC. "It’s that repetitive nature of bowling, and two spells make a big difference. Cooling down completely, then going again the same day – intensity has to be right up there too. So, it's really the 24-hour recovery that will determine whether I’m ready to go again."

Hazlewood is confident that he can be fit for the Brisbane Test, provided he passes these final fitness checks. However, if he does return to the side, it could mean a tough decision for the selectors, with Scott Boland potentially making way despite his impressive performance in Adelaide, where he took five wickets in the match.

Both Hazlewood and Boland are part of the traveling squad heading to Brisbane, where Australia will look to bounce back from a recent poor run at the Gabba. Australia has lost two of its last four Tests at the venue, including a three-wicket defeat to India in the most recent encounter there. Hazlewood remains confident, though, that the team can turn things around if they adjust quickly to the conditions.

"We’ve always played pretty well in Brisbane," Hazlewood said. "The last time was a pink-ball Test, but the pink ball gets quite soft early in Brisbane because the pitch is so hard. With the red ball, it should suit us more. The team is experienced and familiar with the conditions, and we’re used to the challenges of adapting quickly after a day-night Test."

He added that the main challenge would be adjusting to the time difference and the change from a day-night format back to a traditional red-ball game. "The main challenge is getting your sleeping patterns right after a day-night Test and adapting to the conditions quickly," he concluded.

ADELAIDE TEST SUMMARY: AUSTRALIA DOMINATES INDIA IN ALL DEPARTMENTS

In the second Test of the series, India won the toss and chose to bat first, but were quickly rattled by a moving pink ball. Mitchell Starc led the charge for Australia, with support from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland. Despite a gritty 69-run stand between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, and a fighting 42 from Nitish Kumar Reddy, India was dismissed for a modest 180 runs. Starc’s mastery of the pink ball was key, and Cummins and Boland each took two wickets.

Australia’s response with the bat was dominated by Travis Head, who scored a brilliant 140 off 141 balls, playing a counter-attacking knock that set the tone for the Australian innings. A 67-run partnership between Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne had laid the foundation, and Head’s innings pushed Australia to a total of 337, leaving India with a 157-run deficit. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were the pick of the Indian bowlers, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy each took a wicket.

In India’s second innings, their top and middle orders once again faltered. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill showed some resistance, star players like KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were unable to make significant contributions. By the end of day two, India was struggling at 128/5.

On the third day, the Australian bowlers continued to dominate. Rishabh Pant, who had been looking dangerous, fell for 28, and India was eventually bowled out for just 175 in 36.5 overs. With only an 18-run lead, India set Australia a modest target of 19 runs to win. Cummins led the Australian attack with a spectacular five-wicket haul, his eighth as captain, while Boland took 3/51 and Starc chipped in with 2/60.

Australia, requiring just 19 runs, completed the chase with ease in 3.2 overs, as Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney took their team home without any trouble, securing a 10-wicket victory and leveling the series at 1-1.

LOOKING AHEAD: BRISBANE TEST

As the series moves to Brisbane, all eyes will be on Josh Hazlewood's fitness. If he passes the final fitness tests, his return will provide a significant boost to Australia's bowling attack, which has already shown excellent form in Adelaide. With both teams having a lot to play for, the third Test at the Gabba promises to be a crucial encounter in what has been an exciting series so far.