Star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood feels that Team India's confidence would have been shaken by the series loss against New Zealand, but the sleeping giant can mount a strong comeback ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Team India suffered a series whitewash against New Zealand after losing the third Test match by 25 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the first time in their Test history, which goes back to 1933.
"It may wake up a sleeping giant, so to speak. We'll see that when they come out," Josh Hazlewood was quoted saying in an interview with Sydney Morning Herald.
The loss at home marked one of the darkest moments in the history of India's Test cricket. It has badly hurt the prospect of the side led by Rohit Sharma to reach next year's World Test Championship final.
India has lost their top position on the WTC rankings after losing three consecutive games. Now, they will clash with Australia for the five-match Test series. Indians have to win four out of their five Tests against the Aussies to boost their chances for the qualification of the WTC final berth.
"It is obviously better them losing 3-0 than wining 3-0, easily. The confidence might have taken a little bit of a hit. There are a lot of the guys out here, so there are a few guys who haven't, so it will be a bit hard for them to know exactly what to expect," said Hazlewood.
"That is not something you take too much from. Clearly, the results are obvious and good for us as such."
Josh Hazlewood, part of the three-pronged Australian pace attack with Mitchell Starc and skipper Pat Cummins, was full of praise for his Trans-Tasman rivals for the job they did in India to win 3-0 - something no other team has been able to do.
"Credit to the Kiwi boys. They played outstanding cricket. To win 3-0 in India is unbelievable. It's hard enough to win one game there, let alone every match of the series," Hazlewood said.
Australia are all set to host India in the five-match Test series beginning with the November 22 affair in Perth.
"All going to plan. Just such a huge series. Whenever we play India it ranks right up there alongside Ashes," Hazlewood said.
"I feel crowds will be massive. TV rating could be huge. The fact that it could become biggest ever," there was word.
Josh Hazlewood, who had played for Queensland in their Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales, missed the opening ODI against Pakistan on Monday but ruled his entry for the second match on Friday in Adelaide.
"I pretty much got out what I needed, very happy with how I bowled. Body felt surprisingly good. The longer I went, I think the better that I felt, and the rhythm was there," he added.
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