New Zealand’s 3-0 whitewash of India on home soil shocked cricket fans, marking India’s first-ever Test series sweep at home. While the defeat raises concerns, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood sees it as a potential “wake-up call” for India ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
“It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak,” Josh Hazlewood remarked in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald following a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales. The 33-year-old quick acknowledged that while the loss could dent India’s confidence, it might also fuel their motivation as they prepare for their first five-Test series in Australia since 1990.
Hazlewood admitted, however, that New Zealand’s victory still provides a morale boost for Australia, who haven’t claimed the BGT series at home since 2014-15, having lost the last two series (2018-19 and 2020-21) to India.
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“It’s obviously better for us with them losing 3-0 than winning 3-0,” Josh Hazlewood stated. “Their confidence might have taken a hit. While some of their players have played here before, there are a few new batters who haven’t, so they’ll be a bit unsure of what to expect. Credit to the Kiwi boys—they played outstanding cricket. Winning 3-0 in India is unbelievable. It’s hard enough to win one game there, let alone every match.”
India’s series loss has pushed them down to the second position in the World Test Championship standings, now trailing Australia. Given the current standings, the possibility of both teams making it to the WTC final for a second consecutive time seems slim.
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Ahead of the series, India’s team management decided to cancel a previously planned match simulation against the junior India A side at the WACA in Perth, scheduled for November 15-17. Instead, they’ll focus on centre-wicket practice at the same venue. The highly anticipated first Test of the BGT series will kick off at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.
