Justin Langer heaps praise on 'elite' Scott Boland after four-wicket haul

Scott Boland has received enormous praise from former Australian coach Justin Langer, who posed the question about what would have happened in any other era.

The 35-year-old has become a cult figure for Aussie fans in recent years, despite only featuring at Test level sporadically as an injury replacement for Josh Hazlewood.

Boland finished with figures of 4-31 from 20 overs on the opening day of play against India at the SCG on Friday, again taking the prized scalp of Virat Kohli.

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Speaking on 2GB's Wide World Of Sports Radio after stumps, Langer described the right-arm seamer as "elite" and believes he would have been a consistent international player if he wasn't playing in the same time as his counterparts.

Scott Boland celebrates a wicket against India. Getty

"He's brilliant, I love him," Langer said.

"He's so mean on the field, but he's one of the most humble people you will ever meet.

"Just imagine if he had been born in any era before? He would have been playing every single Test. It's been really hard because of Hazlewood, [Mitchell] Starc and [Pat] Cummins - but every time he gets the opportunity, he stands up.

"His bowling was elite, as it always is and I wouldn't want to face him that's for sure."

Boland's persistent line and length has caused headaches for the Indian batting lineup throughout the summer, presenting a perfect foil for the likes of Starc and Cummins.

The unusually green deck in Sydney also helped matters and Langer was surprised to see the type of conditions presented by the curators.

"It was courageous [of India] to win the toss and bat," he said.

Australian players celebrate a wicket at the SCG. Getty

"I've never seen so much grass on the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch ever and we saw it seam around a lot, there was plenty of bounce. I've never seen more balls go over Alex Carey's head … it was brilliant to watch.

"I think the reason they did it was because of the emotion of the last day in Melbourne and what that would have taken out of the Aussies.

"Let's not judge it until we see how the Aussies bat on it."

The hosts will resume at 1-9 after India were bowled out for 185 on day one.

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