Captain Virat Kohli hinted at a fresh approach following India’s World Test Championship Final defeat.
India suffered an eight-wicket loss against New Zealand in the inaugural final in Southampton, England.
They were bowled out on the final day before Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a 96-run stand to lift the trophy.
After the loss, Kohli called on his players to show more courage to put bowlers under greater pressure at key moments.
He also suggested bringing in fresh faces with a different mindset could be one approach taken.
“We will continue to reassess and continue to have conversations around what are the things required to strengthen our side and not follow or fall prey to certain patterns,” Kohli said.
“We will not wait for a year or so and have to plan ahead. If you see our white-ball team now, we have great depth and guys are ready and confident. Same thing needs to be done with Test cricket.
“You have to reassess and replan and understand what dynamics work for the team and how we can be fearless. Bring in right people who have right mindset to perform.
Kolhi Wants Better Awareness to Score Runs
Having better game awareness and finding ways to score difficult runs was also at the forefront of his mind after the loss.
India only managed 217 in the first innings and were crucially bowled out for just 170 in the second.
He added: “We definitely need to work out better plans on understanding how to score runs.
“We have to stay in sync with the momentum of the game and not let the game drift away too much. I don't think there is any technical difficulties as such.
“It's more down to game awareness and being more brave in putting bowlers under pressure and not allowing them to bowl in similar areas for longer periods of time unless it is absolutely overcast and ball swinging all over the place like it happened on day one.
“The endeavour would be to try and score runs and not worry about getting out in testing conditions. That's the way you can put opposition under pressure otherwise you are standing there hoping that you don’t get out and you are not being optimistic enough. You have to take calculated risks against a quality bowling attack like New Zealand.”
Three-Match Final Calls
Meanwhile, the Indian captain also underlined his opinion that having a best-of-three final would be better in future editions of the pinnacle Test match competition.
He said: “I'm not in absolute agreement of deciding the best Test side in the world over the course of one game, to be very honest.
“If it is a Test series, it has to be a test of character over three Tests, which team has the ability to come back into the series or totally blow away the other team.
“It can't just be a pressure applied over two days of good cricket and then you suddenly are not a good Test side anymore. I don't believe in that.”
Williamson Praises New Zealand Spirit
Kohli’s counterpart, Kane Williamson, was delighted with his team after the success, especially as it came against a strong India side.
He said: “Certainly is a very special feeling. A couple of close ones and then to get one [final win is special].
“India are a formidable side and we knew coming into the game it was going to be an incredibly tough challenge.
“It's the pinnacle, isn't it, being involved in the final,” he added in the post-match press conference. “Even coming into the last day, although it was staggered with the weather and all the delays that we had, all results were on the table.
“It was just great the heart the team showed to take it across the line.”
