'They'll Be A Bit Unsure': Ahead Of BGT, Josh Hazlewood Takes Subtle Dig At India After Loss vs NZ

Crisis looms the Indian Cricket Team after their embarrassing 3-0 loss against New Zealand in the three match Test series at home. This marked the first time India were whitewashed in a home Test series featuring three or more matches. 

The defeat against New Zealand is definitely a major confidence blow ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia later this month. Ahead of the 5-match series down under, Josh Hazlewood poked fun at India for their shocking series defeat. 

Josh Hazlewood pokes fun at India

Ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy later this month, star Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has already started playing mind games to get under India's skin. Hazlewood rubbed salt into India's wounds over the defeat against New Zealand as he suggested that the series loss will have an impact on the confidence of Indian players. 

“It’s obviously better them losing 3-0 than winning 3-0, easily. The confidence might have taken a bit of a hit," said Josh Hazlewood to Sydney Morning Herald after Australia's win over Pakistan in first ODI. 

Josh Hazlewood further said that a few Indian batters will be making their first trip to Australia so it will be interesting to see how they cope. 

“A lot of them have been out here, but there’s a few batters who haven’t, so they’ll be a bit unsure of what to expect. I don’t think you can read too much into it,” said Josh Hazlewood.

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However, Hazlewood remained vary of the threat India possess and said they'll think about India when they come. 

“It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak. We’ll see that when they come out,” revealed Hazlewood. 

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Australia beat Pakistan

Captain Pat Cummins kept his nerve on his return to international cricket to lead Australia to a nervy two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first one-day international on Monday.

A calm Cummins made an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls to steer Australia to 204-8 with more than 16 overs to spare, after the middle-order had stumbled in a modest run chase.

Searing pace from Mitchell Starc (3-33) had earlier helped to bowl out Pakistan for 203 with Cummins, playing his first international since the T20 World Cup in June, picking up 2-39 after he won the toss and elected to field.

(With AP Inputs)