Broad sorry for heavy defeat

England bowler Stuart Broad has apologised for the heavy defeat to India in the first Test - and taken a swipe at former players.

The 26-year-old, who failed to take a wicket in his 24 overs in India's first innings and was not given a bowl in the brief second, took to Twitter soon after the conclusion of the nine-wicket loss at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

He posted: "India outplayed us. A few positives but on the whole poor so sorry for that. Onwards and upwards.

"And before u listen to too many ex playing 'experts' being negative, ask them if they ever won a Test series in India....#28years."

England have not emerged triumphant from a Test series in India since 1984/85.

Broad also stressed the need for the Decision Review System (DRS) to be used - it is not in place for this four-match series due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opposing the use of technology - following a number of debatable rulings from the umpires.

He tweeted: "On DRS. I hear 12 decisions would have been overturned in the Test. Potentially match changing but India would have had 8 of them #itsneeded."

England all-rounder Samit Patel was unlucky to be given out in both innings, but captain Alastair Cook survived a strong lbw shout late on day three en route to his second-innings 176 which gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Former England all-rounder Ian Botham - part of Sky's commentary team for the match - took umbrage to Broad's criticism of former players and hit back on Twitter.

In a Tweet to Broad, he wrote: "Didn't average 40+ with the ball overseas...! Not sure what I scored against India with the bat..? £justsaying

Botham's record with the bat in India was impressive.

He hit 114 in the Golden Jubilee Test in Mumbai in 1980 and averaged 55 as England lost the six-Test series 1-0 in 1981-82.