India’s shocking 0-3 series loss against New Zealand notwithstanding, Josh Hazlewood believes that the setback “might awaken a sleeping giant” and that might charge up Rohit Sharma’s men to mount a comeback on their upcoming tour of Australia.
“It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak. We’ll see that when they come out,” Hazlewood told Sydney Morning Herald.
The Australia pacer’s observation reminds one of the purported quote from Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after Japan had attacked US-controlled Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve,” Yamamoto is believed to have said. The event led to the US formally joining World War II on the side of the Allies.
Will the humiliation instil a similar resolve in India? One is not sure, but Hazlewood prefers to be watchful.
“It’s obviously better (with) them losing 3-0 than winning 3-0... The confidence might have taken a bit of a hit. A lot of them have been out here, but there are a few batters who haven’t, so they’ll be a bit unsure of what to expect,” Hazlewood said.
“I don’t think you can read too much into it. The results are obviously good for us in
a way.”
Hazlewood is a part of Australia’s three-pronged pace attack along with Mitchell Starc and skipper Pat Cummins. The five-match Test series starts in Perth.
