Seniors like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara came in for a lot of flak for their below-par showing with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah also failed to live up to expectations.
After New Zealand thrashed India by ten wickets in the first Test in Wellington on Monday, former cricketer VVS Laxman said the visitors were outplayed in all departments. This was New Zealand's 100th Test match win, while on the other hand World No 1 India suffered their first defeat in the ICC World Test Championship.
The art of leaving the ball and negotiating the short ball are the two aspects of his game, Hanuma Vihari is working on ahead of India's tour of Australia.
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Teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw, who made a successful Test debut against the West Indies, will play for India 'A' captained by Dinesh Karthik.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka, at Mohali, on Friday.
R Sridhar recalls 'Ravi ship' and more
IMAGES from Day 1 of the second Test between South Africa and India, in Johannesburg, on Monday.
This is his 'Test' and for Kohli, a century to mark a 'century' is something he would be craving
India's formidably consistent match-winners have a date with history in the New Year when they take on an out-of-sorts South Africa in the second Test in Johannesburg from Monday in pursuit of a coveted first-ever series win in the Rainbow Nation.
Pant, whose rapid 146 put India in the box seat, was more restrained in the second innings.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between Australia and India, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, on Saturday.
Hanuma Vihari looks set to bat at number six in the first Day/Night Test at Adelaide.
It was Virat Kohli's fourth unsuccessful attempt to lead India to an ICC title
Hanuma Vihari's primary skill is batting but he is now trying to sharpen his off-breaks in order to fit in as the 'fifth bowler' in India's Test set-up.
The tourists, chasing 287 runs for victory, were dismissed for 140 at the new Perth Stadium when Jasprit Bumrah was caught and bowled by quick Pat Cummins.
But Pant took the game away from the Lankans by going after the bowling as soon as he walked to the crease, bringing up his fifty with seven fours and two sixes.
Shastri, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Bharath Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have all reached from their respective home cities on Sunday.
Skipper Virat Kohli is impressed with Hanuma Vihari's temperament, as the youngster's self-belief spreads a sense of calm in the dressing room when he is out there in the middle. Vihari was undoubtedly India's find of the West Indies Test series. He emerged the top run-getter with 289 runs that included a century and two half-centuries.
Hanuma Vihari dedicated his maiden Test century to his late father, keeping a promise he made to himself right after he lost one of his favourites 13 years ago. Apart from remembering his father, Vihari thanked pacer Ishant Sharma for batting, at times, better than the recognised batsman at the other end during their partnership in the second Test against the West Indies.
At times, Rishabh Pant has confounded the Indian team with his brazen batting style but skipper Rohit Sharma on Monday said they are willing to accept the way he bats for his sheer ability to be a game-changer in matter of minutes.
Ajinkya Rahane, who has not scored a hundred in more than two years, got back among the runs with a patient innings of 54.
Shaw continued from his unbeaten 240 from overnight and brought up his triple ton.
Round-up of Ranji matches played on Tuesday.
'It's important to do that, give these guys confidence and we will take it from there. We are very open minded as a team management, so whatever suits the best for the team we will try and take that call.'
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli combined to frustrate Australia for an entire session as India held the whip-hand at 215 for two at the close of a grinding opening day of the third Test in Melbourne on Wednesday.
'Happy Birthday to a wonderful selfless cricketer, his contributions cannot be measured only in runs.'
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI in the first Test against England, starting on Wednesday?
'And how we can take Indian cricket forward, that's the only aim anybody should have.'
Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha completed a coveted a grand double by winning the Irani Cup after outclassing Rest of India on basis of the first innings lead, in Nagpur, on Sunday.
The Indian team hit the nets as they geared up for the series-deciding fourth and final Test match against Australia, starting in Brisbane on Friday.
Ashwin responded to Prithi's tweet by saying that it brought him to tears and thanked her for being there with him.
Ravichandran Ashwin battled a severe back pain as he in the company of Hanuma Vihari defied Australia on the fifth and final day to help India snatch a remarkable draw in the third Test in Sydney, on Monday.
'We only felt that it has never happened before, I don't think it will ever happen again. It was a freak inning'
It is interesting to note that both Mayank and Vihari have not lived up to the expectation
The aches and pains they carried to the field had numbed to such an extent by the end of it all that Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari had no idea what they had pulled off by steering India to an unforgettable draw against Australia with their three-hour vigil, in the third Test in Sydney on Monday.
Will Young scored an unbeaten 117, steering New Zealand 'A' to 221 for five against India 'A' on the opening day of the second unofficial Test, in Hamilton, on Friday.
India last lost a Test series on home soil nearly 10 years ago.
'If you see the way Vihari has bowled he has looked like picking up a wicket whenever he comes to bowl. He's pitching the ball in the right areas so we are looking at him as a solid bowling option right now'
The India team sent out a message saying Ashwin was after all to be included in the squad and a decision on whether he played would not be made until the first morning of the match on Thursday.
Hanuma Vihari wanted to utilise the summer months playing county cricket in England but the COVID-19 pandemic has put paid to the India all-rounder's plans for the time being.
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