Former Australia pacer Ryan Harris has strongly criticized Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar for fueling rumors regarding Josh Hazlewood’s absence in the second Test against India in Adelaide.

Gavaskar speculated in his column that there might be a rift within the Australian camp, suggesting that Hazlewood was dropped rather than being ruled out due to injury after his comments about the Australian batting lineup in the first Test at Perth.

Gavaskar, in his Sportstar column, wrote, “Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference.”

Harris, however, was quick to dismiss these claims, labeling them as "garbage" and pointing out that such politics do not exist in Australian cricket. He firmly rebutted Gavaskar’s allegations in an interview with The Indian Express, stating that Australia does not have internal divisions like those seen in India.

“Look, there are no factions. That’s just all garbage. I’ve even heard Mr. Gavaskar coming out and saying there’s some faction. It’s all rubbish. That doesn’t happen in Australia. I know it happens in India. I’ve lived there,” Harris stated.

The former Australian pacer also addressed Hazlewood’s injury directly, explaining that the Australian cricket team would never bench a player for making a simple media comment. He remarked, “There’s no politics and no, you don’t miss a game for saying what he said. I’ve spoken to a couple of the boys here, and everyone’s smart. They just know our media and how they work.”

Harris, while acknowledging Gavaskar’s legendary status, attributed the comments to media sensationalism, saying, “Actually, you know, what Australian media and people have got to realize is that India has won here the last couple of times and they’re a very good team... He is just throwing a little grenade over here, and the media have just got hold of him and are having a feast.”