Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar believes defeat to New Zealand in the warm-up game does not mean India should press the panic button ahead of the World Cup.

The Men in Blue were subject to humiliation on Saturday after they were bowled out for just 179 runs. Ravindra Jadeja – who scored a half-century – was the sole warrior in what was a shambolic display.

However, Tendulkar believes warm-ups – which aren’t official one-day internationals – mean little in the grand scheme of things ahead of the World Cup.

“I will not judge the team after each and every game. It’s a tournament and things like these will happen,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

“The main tournament has not even started yet. I think, we need to settle down, one or two games may go here and there.

“India should make the most of the practice matches.

“They should understand what kind of surfaces they might get. I won’t panic at all as of now.”

New Zealand begin their World Cup against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on June 1, while India face South Africa in Southampton on June 5.

And Tendulkar insists the warm-up games’ main use is for the rotation of players, as teams decide on their best line-ups.

“Teams are trying different combinations,” he added. “Almost all teams are not sure about their front-line playing 11. Several bowlers and batsmen are rested.

“All the teams are preparing and trying different combinations in those conditions which would work for them,” said the former opener, who played in six World Cups.