India captain Rohit Sharma said he was proud of his team for battling back from their lowest home total of 46 to make a match of the first Test against New Zealand, despite going down to an eight-wicket defeat on Sunday.

Kiwi fast bowlers Matt Henry and William O'Rourke wreaked havoc in overcast conditions to dismiss India in 31.2 overs on the first Test's second afternoon in Bengaluru.

India, leading the World Test Championship standings, played their first Test match in more than six months, but there was no sign of rust as they thumped Bangladesh in a little over three days.

India are clear favourites but the visitors recently celebrated a landmark 2-0 series sweep in Pakistan.

Rohit's side begin a busy schedule with the opening match against Bangladesh starting on Thursday, after which they will host New Zealand in three games and then head to Australia in November for five more tests.

In a game that swung back and forth, India seemed to be heading towards a win after Shivam Dube smashed Wanindu Hasaranga for a six in the 47th over followed by a four in the next over by Charith Asalanka.

Rohit and star batsman Virat Kohli both sat out this week's 3-0 series sweep by the tourists, both having announced their 20-over retirement after snagging India's first international trophy in more than a decade.

Not only did Suryakumar finish the series as his side's leading run-scorer and claim the Player of the Series award, the 33-year-old also created an instant impression in the role of captain, bringing his own leadership style to the job made vacant following the T20I retirement of Rohit Sharma.

Rohit, 37, and his opening partner Kohli, 35, quit Twenty20 Internationals last month after the team's victory in the World Cup final against South Africa in Bridgetown but both men will continue to play test and 50-overs cricket.

Looking back, Starc acknowledged Rohit’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament and commended him for his brilliant and strategic use of the conditions in St Lucia.

“You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you,” Rohit wrote on the Instagram post.

Rohit Sharma will stay on as captain of India's Test and one-day teams, the country's cricket board said, after he ended his T20 international career with a World Cup triumph.

Speaking after the title triumph, Suryakumar Yadav revealed the words from the skipper that moved the entire team.

The right-hander has scored the second-most runs of any player at Men's T20 World Cup - behind only Virat Kohli - who also announced his retirement from the format after their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

It was not clear when the Indian team would arrive home, with Indian media on Monday reporting they were stuck in Barbados, delayed by Hurricane Beryl.

Rohit’s bold stance and Kohli’s sacrifice bore fruit as they both have now hung up their boots in T20Is as World Cup winners.

Shortly after India's second T20 World Cup triumph, an emotional Rohit lay on the ground before walking towards the centre and tasting the soil of the Kensington Oval pitch.

“I don't think he can lose two World Cup finals in seven [six] months. He will probably jump into the Barbados ocean if he loses two finals under his captaincy in seven months,” Ganguly told PTI.

India will be out to end their global title drought while South Africa will be seeking to bury their 'chokers' tag at Kensington Oval on Saturday when the tournament's two unbeaten sides clash in the Twenty20 World Cup final.

India captain Rohit Sharma has urged his team to remain calm and stay composed as they seek a second ICC Men's T20 World Cup title against South Africa on Saturday.