Virat Kohli's Indian cricket team have not emerged smelling of roses with their innings defeat at Lord's. On Sunday, it was nearly a self-inflicted lambs-to-the-slaughter situation. The fight appeared lacking, the spirit appeared weakening with every penetrative delivery and the technique displayed by some batsmen gave Test cricket a poor name. You don't play Test cricket that way, we can hear the purists exclaiming. And they are right!

Hitting across the line in swinging conditions is a recipe for disaster and the 'play straight' mantra that is a prerequisite for the longer format seemed forgotten.
India's problems emerged even before the first ball was bowled at Lord's. After Day One was washed out last Thursday, the team management should have overturned their pre-Test decision to include wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.