‘Players were overconfident’ - Basit Ali slams India after home series defeat against New Zealand

India were in good form leading up to the three-match Test series against New Zealand. Earlier in the year, the Rohit Sharma-led side managed a remarkable 4-1 series win over England at home and recently, they whitewashed Bangladesh 2-0. The hosts were at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with a good PCT margin ahead of New Zealand Test series and were charging towards their third finale in the competition and handed the team back-to-back defeats in Bengaluru and Pune.

In the first Test against the Kiwis, India were bundled out for only 46 runs in the first innings and the game eventually ended in an eight-wicket defeat for them. In Pune, the batting unit once again failed to deliver, leading to a 113-run defeat. Speaking on the same, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali stated that the Indian management and players were overconfident and that led to a series defeat. He also analysed that the Tom Latham-led side did their homework and that helped them get the job done.

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“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,” Basit said on his YouTube Channel.

“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,” the 43-year-old said. 

Without Shami, India might face problems in Australia: Basit

Ace India pacer Mohammed Shami has not been included in the 18-member squad for the five-match series against Australia later in the year. The 34-year-old has not played professional cricket since the ODI World Cup 2023 and is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), working towards gaining full fitness.

Meanwhile, Basit feels that Shami’s absence can hurt India in Australia. He noted that Arshdeep Singh could have been added as the left-arm seamer brings variety and added that India’s pace-bowling unit is incomplete without Shami.

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“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.