India blasted for failure to face NZ spin

"This has been an exhibition of how not to play spin by the so-called best players of spin in the world," Michael Vaughan said. Photo / AP

Former England captain Michael Vaughan scorned India's inability to combat spin as the T20 world tournament favourites crumbled in the Nagpur dust against New Zealand.

"This has been an exhibition of how not to play spin by the so-called best players of spin in the world," Vaughan said.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni concurred saying the "batting let us down" after his side's shock 47 run loss in their opening match. India were rolled for 79 in 18.1 overs which was their second lowest total in T20 internationals.

"Batting let us down. It wasn't as if the pitch was unplayable, there were some soft dismissals," Dhoni said.

Match centre with scorecard, wagon wheel and Manhattan/Worm

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"There were no partnerships in the middle. They bowled well but out batsmen could have applied more. It was a decent score but not impossible. The batting just let us down.

"Maybe it was our shot selection... there was no partnership also," Dhoni said.

The shock result mocked pre-tournament predictions of many Indian greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag who was "99 per cent certain" India would win the title for the second time.

That may happen but the opening roadbump in Nagpur has thrown the nation and their supporters into early chaos.

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