India haven’t lost two Tests in a series at home since 2012-13 against England. And the last time they lost the first two Tests in their own backyard was more than two decades back, when South Africa swept a two-match showdown in early 2000.

Whether Virat Kohli’s side are aware of these stats, or even care about them, is open to debate. What is not, is that they have to up their game over the next five days at the MA Chidambaram Stadium if they are to purge memories of the heavy 227-run defeat in the first Test at the same venue.