With a string of defeats on their soil, the Indian cricketing landscape is now bracing for an inevitable period of reflection, and none other than the ‘Master Blaster’ himself, Sachin Tendulkar, has been quick to suggest that it may indeed be time for India to have a little ‘introspection’. But let’s face it, introspection is easier said than done when you have just suffered one of the most humiliating losses in recent memory. And if you thought the Indian batting line-up was impervious to pressure, think again. It is safe to say that India’s inability to combat spin, particularly against New Zealand, has raised some serious questions about their readiness for the big challenges ahead.

Let’s take a step back and understand just how it all unfolded. In the opening Test in Bengaluru, the first innings was played under overcast conditions, which allowed New Zealand pacers to make a dent. However, once the conditions became more spin-friendly, the New Zealand spinners — Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips — turned the screws and exposed India’s weak spots. The conditions were tailor-made for spinners, and yet the Indian batsmen seemed to struggle in a way that could only be described as astonishing.