Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali slammed India for losing home series against New Zealand. Notably, New Zealand beat India by 113 runs in the second Test at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. It was the first Test series loss for India on home soil after 2012 as Rohit Sharma and his men were undone by the Blackcaps who won their first series in India.
New Zealand didn’t come into the series on a high note as they were hammered in Sri Lanka by 2-0. Hence, New Zealand’s achievement in India is even more applaudable. Speaking about India’s series loss, Ali said that the Asian Giants were overconfident as New Zealand had been thrashed in Sri Lanka. However, the Tom Latham-led side did their homework well and did the impossible.
“The match India won against Bangladesh in two days and New Zealand’s 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka, the team might have thought they would beat the Kiwis easily. This means, Indian management and Indian players were overconfident. New Zealand did their homework. They had nothing to lose. No one would have thought that the Kiwis might be able to defeat India. Even New Zealand themselves wouldn’t have thought of something like this. But they did their homework,” said Basit on his Youtube Channel.
Without Shami, India might face problems in Australia: Basit Ali
Further speaking ahead, the former Pakistan batter expressed surprise at Mohammed Shami’s absence in the squad for the Test series against Australia. He also suggested bringing in left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh in the team but mentioned that their absence will put all the load on Bumrah.
“I am surprised why there is no Mohammed Shami in the squad for the Australia tour. You have put all the load on Bumrah. Arshdeep (Singh) could have been in the squad because he brings variety. In this team, India’s fast bowling is not complete without Shami. Without Shami, India might face problems in Australia. In Australia, your weapon is fast bowling. India will have problems in Australia,” he added.
Meanwhile, after back-to-back losses, India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final have also taken a major hit. They will have to win four out of their remaining six games as they prepare themselves to take on New Zealand in the third Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from Friday, November 1 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.