In hindsight, England would have been happy if the TV blackout which blighted the start of the first one-day international in Hyderabad had not been resolved.
Andy Flower's side suffered a chastening defeat to an India side who had been salivating at the prospect of a revenge victory ever since their dismal English summer culminated in a 3-0 series defeat in the NatWest Series.
The local media billed it as 'The Payback Series' and spent weeks transforming their heroes into gun-wielding warriors on Photoshop.
England enjoyed fleeting periods of being in contention, but were ultimately thrashed and humiliated at the hands of an India side they had ground into the dust repeatedly on their home shores.
Alastair Cook's side were left to mourn an emphatic 126-run defeat after a capitulation with the bat on a horrid track at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, and the UK commentators were no less disgruntled.
TV viewers in the UK were subjected to listening to Ravi Shastri and his BCCI-mandated cohorts revel in their enforced supplemented audience.
Dermot Reeve told his bewildered viewers that the India bowlers were thriving as a result of having "nice, warm hands", while Sourav Ganguly relentlessly plugged the BCCI website as the home of "almost live" internet streaming.
It was an experience which, it is hoped, UK viewers will not have to suffer in the remaining four ODIs but, after such an unexpected TV blackout, nothing can be taken for granted.
Television viewers were subjected to a still image (pictured, below)
with broadcasters David 'Bumble' Lloyd and Nick Knight forced to provide
a radio-style commentary over a mobile phone as a result of a 'pictures
blackout'.
Lloyd coped admirably with the farcical situation as he reported live on air that there were 'licence issues' which had not been resolved while the match began out on the field with viewers unable to watch.
The blackout was caused by a breakdown in negotiations between rights-holding production company Nimbus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Indian government. The knock-on effect ensured that no coverage was possible.
The on-screen message during the debacle simply read: "There is no TV coverage of the India v England 1st ODI due to pictures blackout in India. You are listening to commentary live from Hyderabad via a phone line."
Thankfully, neither Bumble nor Knight were attempting to use a Blackberry.
Televised coverage finally resumed at 10:15 UK time after Lloyd joyously reported in commentary that the dispute had been successfully resolved.
The situation did little to improve the BCCI's international reputation - with TV viewers unable to even observe Hawkeye-associated graphics. The DRS is again not permitted for the series due to the Indian board's scepticism of the technology.
But nothing should be taken away from this India side who, although still very depleted with a host of glittering names remaining absent, produced an inspired performance.
As badly as England performed, India deserved their convincing victory and now undoubtedly hold the ascendancy ahead of the four remaining ODIs in this series having thoroughly redressed the balance of their head-to-head.
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TALKING POINT OF THE DAY: Ian Bell or Kevin Pietersen? Having assured Ravi Bopara of his place in
the middle order and, with Jonny Bairstow's recent form demanding his
selection, England were left to pick between Bell and Pietersen for the final
spot. They opted for the preening peacock, KP, who scored 19 and fielded atrociously.
Who do you think England should have picked? Post your views below...
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USER COMMENT OF THE DAY: Playing
at home where conditions suit England is all very well but it is only when they
can repeat the performances away that I will be convinced they are truly No 1.
Watch out England we're coming to get you! (Brucie - There is always an Australian with a short memory ready to
knock the Poms back down to earth.)
TWEET OF THE DAY: "News here ...India Gov. and BCCI not allowing Eng. to bat with pads on and must use miniature bats ... total nonsense." (A furious sidelined @BumbleCricket finally gets himself heard, albeit away from the mic.)
STAT OF THE DAY: India last beat England
in England in September 2007. The corresponding date for England in India is April 2006. Will this remain the case even after this series has been concluded?
SNAP OF THE DAY: "It's not that we don't believe in you Billy, but how can we be 100 percent certain that every decision you make is correct? For that reason, we cannot agree to have you..." No DRS, no Hawkeye for TV, no pitch mapping, but Billy did stand.
