SYDNEY: Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has expressed concern that New Zealand’s recent whitewash of India could potentially “awaken a sleeping giant” when Rohit Sharma’s squad arrives for their five-Test series in Australia. The fear is that India’s defeat could spur them to perform even more aggressively down under.
New Zealand’s Historic Sweep
New Zealand’s unprecedented 3-0 series sweep of India, capped off with a 25-run victory in Mumbai, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. This defeat has been a significant wake-up call for the Indian team, with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar suggesting that it should prompt serious introspection within the squad.
Hazlewood’s Concerns
Josh Hazlewood, who has experienced the sting of defeat against India on their last two tours to Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21), praised New Zealand’s accomplishment but remains cautious about the impact it might have on India’s performance in the upcoming series.
“It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak. We’ll see that when they come out,” Hazlewood remarked in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s obviously better them losing 3-0 than winning 3-0, easily. The confidence might have taken a bit of a hit.”
India’s Preparation and Potential Impact
While Hazlewood acknowledges that some Indian players are familiar with Australian conditions, he points out that several batsmen have not played in Australia before, which could add to their uncertainty. Despite this, Hazlewood remains cautious about drawing too many conclusions from India’s recent losses.
Scott Boland’s Perspective
Scott Boland, another Australian fast bowler, anticipates that the Indian team arriving in Australia will be much stronger than the one that struggled against New Zealand. Boland notes the significant difference in playing conditions between India and Australia, particularly the additional bounce on Australian pitches.
“I think the conditions are so different,” Boland commented. “Obviously, the last couple of times India’s come to Australia, they’ve done really well. Yeah, there’s so much more bounce here.”
Potential Team Changes
Boland suggests that India might adopt a different team structure to adapt to Australian conditions, indicating that their approach in the series could vary significantly from their strategies in India.
Future of Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy
Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has weighed in on the future of Rohit Sharma’s leadership, particularly if India does not perform well in the upcoming series. Srikkanth suggests that it might be time to start planning for a successor, especially considering Sharma’s recent struggles with form and leadership lapses.
Rohit Sharma’s Recent Form
Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals after leading India to their second World Cup trophy in June, has faced criticism for his recent performance. With an average of 42.27 from 4,270 runs in Test cricket, his recent form has been under scrutiny, with only one half-century in his last ten innings and several single-digit scores.
Srikkanth’s Comments
Srikkanth, a former chief selector, praised Sharma for acknowledging his poor performance and captaincy during the New Zealand series. He believes that this admission is the first step towards recovery.
“Hats off to Rohit for accepting the fact that he played badly throughout the series and captained badly. That’s a great thing,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “That’s the first move of a player to get back to rhythm. Accepting your fault is very important. That’s a very important quality of a human being.”
India’s Challenge Ahead
As India prepares for their crucial series against Australia, the team faces the challenge of winning four out of the five Tests to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final next year. However, they might have to do so without Sharma for the opener due to personal reasons.
Introspection and Strategy
The series against Australia will not only test India’s cricketing skills but also their ability to introspect and strategize effectively. The Indian team’s performance will be closely watched, as they aim to bounce back from their recent setbacks and re-establish their dominance in Test cricket.
FAQs
1. Why is Josh Hazlewood concerned about India’s recent defeat?
Josh Hazlewood fears that India’s defeat against New Zealand might motivate them to perform better in the upcoming series against Australia, potentially making them a more formidable opponent.
2. What was significant about New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep of India?
New Zealand’s sweep was historic as it was the first time they defeated India 3-0 at home, prompting significant introspection within the Indian cricket team.
3. How has Rohit Sharma’s recent form been?
Rohit Sharma has struggled recently, with only one half-century in his last ten innings and several single-digit scores. His leadership during the New Zealand series has also been criticized.
4. What changes might India make for the Australia series?
India might adopt a different team structure to adapt to the Australian conditions, which are significantly different from those in India, particularly in terms of pitch bounce.
5. What is Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s view on Sharma’s captaincy?
Srikkanth suggests that if India does not perform well in Australia, it might be time to consider planning for a successor to Rohit Sharma as the captain.
Conclusion
The upcoming five-Test series between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling contest, shaped by India’s recent setbacks and the Australian team’s anticipation of a stronger opponent. As both teams prepare for this high-stakes series, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the drama unfolds.
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