IND vs NZ: Irfan Pathan urges Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to step up after series Defeat

Former India player Irfan Pathan has urged the senior players of the Indian team to step up after the dismal series defeat against New Zealand.

India conceded a Test series for the first time on home soil in almost 12 years as they lost the 2nd Test in Pune. With the defeat, Rohit Sharma and his team now have an insurmountable 2-0 deficit in the three-match Test series.

After a very poor outing in Bengaluru, the hosts failed in the second Test as well. On a turning pitch, New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner dismantled the Indian team as the likes of Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli fell short in the crucial match.

With the defeat, India's chances of participating in the World Test Championship have also taken a massive hit. They will have to win four out of the last six Test matches to qualify for the final next year.

Amid this, former India player Irfan Pathan has urged the senior players to live up to the expectations in the longest format of the game. Pathan also congratulated the New Zealand team for the amazing achievement.

"Well done, New Zealand, on winning the series on Indian soil! For Team India, there's a lot to reflect on. Senior players need to step up and deliver in the ultimate format of the game. The next three months will be crucial for them," Pathan tweeted.

India great Sachin Tendulkar also took to social media and tweeted the visitors after their outstanding outing.

"For any visiting team, to win a Test series in India is a dream, and New Zealand have played really well to make it happen. Such results can only be achieved with good, all-round team efforts. Special mention to Santner for his standout performance, picking up 13 wickets. Congratulations to New Zealand on this phenomenal achievement," Tendulkar tweeted.

The final Test match of the series is set to be played in Mumbai and will start from November 1.