New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS): Going into the Test series against New Zealand, a lot was spoken about the Indian pace battery with fans even expecting the Indian bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah to make shortwork of the Kiwi batsmen. With Ishant Sharma also managing to get fit for the opening match, it was seen as a big boost for the Virat Kohli-led side. But in the end, the Indians lost the opening game by 10 wickets and the bowlers cut a sorry figure, apart from Ishant.

Taking to Twitter, former India batsman and now expert Sanjay Manjrekar clarified why the Indian bowlers failed to rise to the Kiwi challenge in the opening Test of the two-game series.

"Why could NZ seamers get the ball to swing and deviate more than Indian seamers? Because on this surface wrist at an angle to swing the ball was needed. All three Indian seamers, though top class, are not really out & out swing bowlers. #INDvNZ," he tweeted.

Speaking after the loss, Kohli had backed his players and said he was not able to comprehend why one Test match defeat should be made to look like the end of the world for his team.

"For some people, it might be the end of the world, but it's not. For us, it's a game of cricket that we lost and we move on and keep our heads high," Kohli said.

"We understand that we need to play well to win, also at home. There's no cakewalk at international level as teams will come and beat you. You accept it and that defines our character as a side.

"We know we haven't played well, but if people want to make a big deal out of it, make a mountain out of it, we can't help it as we don't think like that."