A real drubbing

Australia recorded a comprehensive 333-run win over India in the first test in Pune, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. After setting India a massive 441 to win, the Aussies bowled out India's batsmen for a dismal 107. After Australia's first innings, India was never in the contest, succumbing to a superb spell by Steven O'Keefe in both innings. The Aussie spinner finished with match figures of 12/70. It was Australia's first win in India in 13 years, and they came into this contest with many pundits dismissing their chances against the world's No. 1 Test team. Team India captain, Virat Kohli's assessment of the match was on the mark. "We take nothing away from this game," he said. Leaders of any team usually look for certain positives even in defeat—something they can build on for future contests.

From the performance in the Pune Test, many sense that there are no positives India can take. The rest of the series will present Kohli with probably the toughest examination of his leadership qualities. India's young and dynamic team will have to find a way to recover from this battering mentally. Before this defeat, India had won eight of their last nine Test matches. Although no one expected their winning streak to continue, the manner in which they were demolished in less than three days at home, will be hard to live down. "We got outplayed. We have to take it on the chin and move on," Kohli added. Team India is hurting, and Kohli's comments suggest that his players will roar back in the next match. However, it is imperative to note that the margin of defeat in no way indicates that India is widely inferior to this Australian side. The defeat also says very little about this series other than the fact that it will be hotly-contested.