New Zealand's stunning 47-run win against India at the opening match of the main draw in ICC World Twnety20 championship did not go down well with the Indian followers of MS Dhoni and his men.
The Indian Express termed Indian batting a "drunken stumble" in the middle adding that Dhoni's tactics were 'strange'.
The paper said the result was like fabled Indian team was "dunked by cold water on a bone-chilling night."
Former Indian player Mohammad Kaif asked what will be Dhoni's strategy going further into the tournament.
"Dhoni had said during the Asia Cup that the wickets were not ideal for T20s, too much grass he said. Wonder what he will say today?" Kaif tweeted.
Captain Dhoni tried to shrug off the defeat saying it was a "wake up call", but critics pointed out that 79 was India's second lowest T20 total ever.
Former great Sunil Gavaskar said bluntly that overconfidence did the team in. "I think overconfidence led to the downfall of India. If they have not been able to beat New Zealand, they might struggle against Pakistan too," Gavaskar told NDTV.
Picking up from the humiliation against the Kiwis, India will play arch-rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 19.
Zee News said the home team lost the match in the most ignominious manner, adding that it was "a horrendous performance from India."
"Title favourites India capitulated to a shocking 47-run defeat against a spirited New Zealand as the hosts launched their campaign in the most ignominious manner," it said.
UK's Telegraph said India were humbled by New Zealand. "They were bowled out on a wicked turning surface, flummoxed by New Zealand's battery of spinners," it added.
