Positivity reigns supreme in India dressing room despite defeat to NZ

Upon taking the helm of a recast New Zealand Test team earlier this month, skipper Tom Latham pledged to restore pride in the national men's team through their preparedness to battle out even the most forlorn of causes.

In pushing India to the brink on a rain-curtailed opening Test, he might have felt the need to pat his back now and then.

Latham's ambition to overturn nearly four decades of disappointment by winning a Test match in India could hardly have started in better shape despite the frayed nerves that began to appear as India youngsters Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan raised hopes of an improbable win in the second innings.

It showed on his face. The joy of beating the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in their own backyard is no trivial achievement.

Sharma, on the other hand, had a mixed bag of emotions to unpack as he sat before the media, ready to face scrutiny and offer explanations.

Despite the palpable disappointment stemming from an eight-wicket defeat, Sharma, for most of the press conference, reiterated that he found a silver lining in the aftermath of a truly abysmal first innings that culminated in their lowest home total of 46 runs. Yet, as any good leader would, he chose to highlight the resilience displayed by his young comrades as they battled back to make a contest out of the first Test.

The stark contrast between India's dismal first innings and their spirited second innings was all that cricket stands for. Ever-evolving and full of surprises.

After being skittled for just 46 in 31.2 overs, an embarrassing feat that left many questioning their approach in overcast conditions, India regrouped.

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Khan, playing in only his fourth Test, stepped up and delivered a magnificent 150, while Pant, in typical fashion, electrified the pitch with a blistering 99. Their efforts propelled India to a respectable total of 462 in the second innings, transforming the narrative from one of despair to one of spirited defiance.

So much so that Sharma admitted to having ‘felt like we were ahead in the game at one stage'. This sentiment, however, stood in stark contrast to the reality that New Zealand had already amassed a staggering 402 in their first innings, leaving India with a daunting lead of 356 runs to overcome.

Sunday wasn't just a run-of-the-mill defeat, it marked India's second home Test loss in 2023, the first being against England earlier in the year. However, Rohit remained undeterred, reminding each of us in the room that the team has a history of bouncing back from such setbacks.

The overarching theme of his remarks revolved around mindset, an essential aspect in the high-pressure world of Test cricket.

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Despite the initial calamity of their first innings, the Indian team showcased flashes of brilliance that suggest a latent potential ready to be unleashed. Khan's century and Pant's near-century indicate that the batting lineup, while momentarily shaken, possesses the firepower to challenge any opposition.

As the second Test looms on the horizon, Sharma's India will undoubtedly have a few lessons to ponder. The focus will be on ensuring that the first innings performance doesn't become a recurring nightmare. It's time to turn potential into performance, and with Sharma at the helm, one can only hope that the team rises to the occasion, not just for the sake of pride, but to silence any lingering doubts about their capabilities.