Fri Nov 22 08:55:54 UTC 2024: ## Australia Warns Against Underestimating India Despite Recent New Zealand Loss
**Perth, Australia:** Australia will not underestimate India despite their recent 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has warned. While acknowledging the defeat may have dented India’s confidence, Labuschagne stressed the quality and depth of the Indian team.
“Having India come here off the back of a loss at home is something that’s never happened before,” Labuschagne said, highlighting the unusual circumstance. He believes the loss to New Zealand will impact India’s confidence, but cautioned against complacency, remembering India’s stunning 2-1 series win in Australia in 2020-21 despite injuries and the absence of key players like Virat Kohli.
Labuschagne pointed to the emergence of new Indian talent during that series as evidence of India’s remarkable depth. He specifically mentioned players like T Natarajan, Mohammad Siraj, and Washington Sundar who stepped up during that tour.
Even with the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for the first Test in Perth, Labuschagne emphasized that India remains a formidable opponent. “They’re a quality line-up and they’ve showed that over a period of time. You can’t ever underestimate the depth of Indian cricket,” he stated. The five-Test Border-Gavaskar series begins this Friday.
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