If it doesn't get its act together, or at least rectify errors that are slowly becoming a habit, it will soon start quaking in its boots: apart from losing the No. 1 mantle in One-dayers, it will probably also see its other fortunes dwindling.
Worse, it will be held and shaken to the core, if it doesn't overcome a side that is ranked a lowly eighth. The second ODI, here on Wednesday, is critical in this light; after all, if morning shows the day, the first two games set the pace and tempo for the rest of the series.
Yes, India can be pleased with their wherewithal in the opener, despite ending up on the wrong side of 24 runs; but they would have noticed that New Zealand were near-perfect in the contest: they purred and rolled like a well-oiled machine, with almost everyone playing his role to perfection.
If Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson did the 'donkey's work' (as Taylor would say), Brendon McCullum and Luke Ronchi took flight in the later overs; somewhere along the way, Corey Anderson roared into IPL reckoning by flexing his bulbous muscles.
They weren't done yet though: the Kiwi pacers came at India hard and fast, with Adam Milne even clocking a scary 153kmph. India will be glad to know that the speedy bowler will miss the rest of the series with an abdominal tear; but they know that others are in the line, as well as they now realise the tour is going to be tougher than anticipated.
Suddenly, the chinks in India's armour seem wider and deeper: the openers are failing to give a good start, with Rohit Sharma looking more and more circumspect; Suresh Raina continues to have problems with the short ball while Ravindra Jadeja is not showcasing his batting skills at all.
The bowlers are equally listless, unable to make truce with the extra bounce in the track: Ishant Sharma is almost lethargic while Ashwin and Jadeja are unable to extract anything from it.
Sadly, India will have to live with these flaws, at least for now; at the most, they can pray that one or two of them will sort the problems out on their own. It won't be a bad idea to be a little more discreet with their shot-making, if not dump the pull shot completely; or maybe if Shikhar Dhawan can twirl his handlebar again, everything will automatically fall into place.
The good news is that the Seddon Park will provide more than an even chance to India: the pitch here is on the slower side and the bounce will not be daunting either. The batsmen can play horizontal shots if need be and the spinners can be a little more useful.
The bottom-line, however, lies with the Indian team: is it ready for a bitter fight? Can it wade through the tough moments? Or is it heading for a shakedown of earthquaking proportions?
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