Consecutive losses for India first up in England are not unprecedented and Virat Kohli's men are not the first Indian outfit to lose the opening two Tests in the United Kingdom. It has happened as far back as 1952 when India was led by Vijay Hazare; as recent as 2011 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side ultimately succumbed to a 0-4 whitewash. DK Gaekwad's 1959 team, followed by MAK Pataudi's men in 1967 and Ajit Wadekar's team in 1974 lost all Tests, too.

Despondency, dismay and even disgrace make up the common thread in these teams and pardon the pun, it's the shame old story yet again. Cricket fans expected a better show from the current side. That the World No. 1 Test team could only muster 237 runs across two innings at Lord's was hard to swallow. More considerate supporters, of course, would point to the fact that England batted in better conditions and Joe Root winning the toss had to be an advantage.