Chandrakant Pandit, Indian cricket's finest domestic coach at the moment, reckons India faltered with their preparation for the opening Test against England and that led to the 31-run loss at Edgbaston on Saturday. "We must play at least three to four side games prior to a big five-match Test series to help getting used to English conditions. Though we played a few games in England and Ireland, they were limited overs matches and that can't be considered as ideal preparation for a Test series of this magnitude. We certainly lacked good preparation while heading for the Test challenge," Pandit told mid-day on Monday.

The ex-Mumbai captain and successful coach, who has guided the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions, Rajasthan and Vidarbha to win the national championships, felt it was a wrong move to go into the first Test without Cheteshwar Pujara. "We need a player like Pujara in the playing XI. He's a specialised Test batsman who possesses the best technique to counter swing bowling. The best thing about Pujara is that he is not desperate to do something; he has a lot of patience. We need a batsman like him to stay on the wicket," said Pandit.