As impressive as Australia's victory in the first Test was, there's no denying that the Indians were rather gracious hosts and didn't at all live up to their potential.
India's massive defeat to Australia in the first Test was as stunning as any of the shocking events the world has witnessed in the past few months.
Virat Kohli's men were in the middle of a stellar run up until then, racking up a phenomenal 19-match unbeaten steak. From bulldozing New Zealand and England, to overwhelming Bangladesh, Team India seemed indomitable.
The majority of the matches during this period, though, were played at home. This made Australia's lop-sided victory at Pune all-the-more surprising. With absolutely no one giving the visitors a chance, what Steve Smith and Co managed to achieve will be talked about for years to come.
As we approach the second Test in Bengaluru, the Indian team will need to rectify a host of issues to come up trumps. As impressive as Australia's victory in the first Test was, there's no denying that the Indians were rather gracious hosts and didn't at all live up their potential.
So here's a list of five points that Anil Kumble might want to look at before the first ball is bowled at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday:
Team Selection
How many cricketers must there be in the history of the game who would've gotten to say that they got dropped from the team after smashing a triple-century? Karun Nair, after becoming only the second Indian to score a Test triple-ton, had to immediately make way for Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain of India's Test side made a comeback from injury.
This decision by the management wasn't taken well by many, and Rahane's poor showing in both innings at Pune only made matters worse. Coach Kumble, though, has categorically stated that there is no question of dropping Rahane, a man who's been a prolific run-getter for India over the years.
However, Nair's case for the second Test could be bolstered if India look to go in with four bowlers. With Ishant Sharma bowling merely three overs in the second innings at Pune, and the batters struggling to get the team total past three figures, Kohli could be tempted to add an extra batsman to the team sheet.
Opposition threats
Skipper Smith's century in Pune was his fifth in as many Tests against India. This is a staggering feat by any standards. His knock in Pune, on a raging turner, was arguably the best of his career. India have to find a way to stop the man. It's as simple as that. If Smith continues piling on the runs the way he is, it'll be mighty difficult for India to turn the tide.
Australia's bowling attack, too, will have it's tail up in Bengaluru. With the wicket offering some grass and looking much better than the one in Pune, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood's impact on the game could be immense. And as much as one tries to undermine Steve O'Keefe's 12-wickets in the first Test, India's approach to him will surely not be the same this time around.
DRS woes
India wasted as many as six reviews in the first Test, and these errors in judgement had a bearing on the entire match. From the openers exhausting reviews inside the first ten overs, to bowlers getting blinded in their quest for a wicket, Team India made absolutely no use of the Decision Review System (DRS). To add insult to injury, the one time that they should've definitely gone for a review - while Smith was batting in full flow in the second innings - they decided not to.
With the bowler invariably convinced that the call will go in his favour, it's imperative for the wicket-keeper to utilise his positioning and guide the process. Sadly, Wriddhiman Saha has done his team no favour by abetting incorrect calls. Add to that, Kohli himself seems to be impulsive when it comes to asking for a review.
If India are to make the most of DRS, the skipper will have to strike a balance of being forthright and showing caution.
Dismal catching
India were pretty much on the back-foot in the entire match after Starc's game-changing half-century in the first innings in Pune. And when you're chasing the game like that, the little moments become that much more prominent. Kohli and his men did themselves no favour by dropping an outrageous number of catches.
After getting shot-out for an embarrassing 105 in the first innings, one would've expected the Indians to bring their A game on to the field. Far from that, they went on to drop Smith alone as many as four times.
If the hosts produce a repeat performance such as this in Bengaluru, there are no prizes for guessing what the outcome will be.
Spiral downwards
"I am pretty relaxed, I'm happy, I'm smiling," said Kohli in the pre-match press conference on Friday. He could say that all he wants, but there's no denying the fact that Pune's thumping was a major blow to the Indian camp. Make no mistake about it.
A 333-run defeat could leave long-lasting effects on a team, let alone one that had forgotten what it's like to lose. In sport, it doesn't take long for a winning streak to turn into a losing one. Kohli and Kumble will need to be cautious of the fact that things could spiral downwards from here. A positive approach is imperative, however, it'll be foolhardy to thing that the first Test was a mere aberration.
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 "Cricket, Web Exclusive, pune, virat kohli, steve smith, australia, ajinkya rahane, anil kumble, karun nair, bangladesh, england,")
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