Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood expressed his belief that India’s confidence may have been shaken following their recent series loss to New Zealand, but he anticipates a strong response from the “sleeping giant” in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India faced a historic setback, suffering a whitewash in the Test series against New Zealand after losing the third match by 25 runs in Mumbai on Sunday. This defeat marked the first time in India’s Test history, which dates back to 1933, that they have been whitewashed in a series.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Hazlewood remarked, “It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak. We’ll see that when they come out.” He highlighted the potential for India to regroup and bounce back strongly as they prepare to face Australia in the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting later this month.

Hazlewood’s comments reflect the respect and awareness that the Australian team has for India’s cricketing prowess, despite their recent struggles. The upcoming series promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to assert their dominance on the international stage. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how India responds to the challenges ahead following their disappointing performance against New Zealand.