India were dismissed for totals of 165 and 191 in the first Test at Basin Reserve.
India skipper Virat Kohli believes 'positive mentality' and not the 'cautious approach' will help his team pull off a series-levelling win in the second Test.
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Indian batsmen were found wanting in the first Test at Wellington as the visitors got bowled out for 165 and 191 across the two innings. Opener Mayank Agarwal was the only player to cross the 50-run mark in either innings.
“I don’t think a cautious approach ever pays off, especially away from home,” Kohli said after the 10-wicket loss in series opener. “We will definitely be much more positive."
“We will try and put their bowlers under pressure and try and make them do something different rather than them making us do something different.”
This was India’s first defeat in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship after seven consecutive victories. But Kohli said the team’s culture meant that his players would not be bothered by it.
“We have the belief that we can win. But if there is a defeat in the interim, it doesn’t mean the belief will go away,” he asserted.
“There’s no cakewalk or easy games at the international level. Teams will come out and beat you, you have to accept it and that defines your character as a side.”
The Indian captain reiterated that the positive mindset had helped his team hold onto the No. 1 spot in Test cricket since October 2016 and they would continue to follow that.
“We are not going to play in any other fashion,” he said.
“Whatever it requires us to do as a batting unit, a bowling unit and a fielding unit to be able to do that, we are definitely going to come out and do that. We are not bothered about another loss but we are not going to take a backward step, that’s for sure.”
Christchurch will host the second and final Test from February 29.
(Inputs from Reuters)