Brendon McCullum stated that his team has been 'exposed'.

LEAD: Coach Brendon McCullum believes that England have been 'exposed' during their time in India and that they have some serious reflection to do.

The tourists suffered their first series defeat since McCullum took charge in 2022, winning the first Test but losing four more.

England's victory in the first Test in Hyderabad was one of their greatest overseas wins, especially considering India's formidable home record.

The tourists missed several opportunities in the second, third, and fourth Tests. On the first morning of the fifth Test, they were 100-1 before collapsing and losing by an innings and 64 runs.

England have lost seven of their past 12 Tests and have not won in three series, including the latest defeat in Dharamsala.

McCullum, a New Zealander, stated that this tour has taught him more about his team than ever before.

​​England's upcoming Test series is against West Indies in July, followed by Sri Lanka at the end of the home summer.

The team will then tour Pakistan and New Zealand next winter, before India's visit in the summer of 2025. The Ashes series in Australia in the winter of 2025-26 will be the last of McCullum's four-year contract.

Ben Foakes has been recalled to keep wicket in India after Jonny Bairstow had the gloves for last summer's Ashes.

Although Foakes' performance as a wicket-keeper was excellent, he only managed to score a highest of 47 with the bat. Bairstow, who played his 100th Test in Dharamsala, also failed to score a half-century.

If opener Harry Brook, who missed the tour for personal reasons, returns to the side, it is likely that only one of Foakes or Bairstow will be available. Alternatively, England could consider Durham's Ollie Robinson, Somerset's James Rew or Surrey's Jamie Smith.

​​Despite limited first-class experience, Lancashire left-armer Hartley and Somerset off-spinner Bashir were selected for this tour and played an enhanced role after Leach suffered a knee injury in the first Test.

The 24-year-old Hartley finished the series as England's leading wicket-taker, while the 20-year-old Bashir took two five-wicket hauls in the three Tests he played.

According to McCullum, the pair are vying with Leach to be England's number one, and everyone realizes their potential.

Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson were the only three pace bowlers used by England throughout the series. Anderson, who is 41, and Wood, who is 34, were the mainstay of the bowling attack. Robinson, 30, was disappointing in his only appearance in Ranchi.

Chris Woakes, 35, may be considered for selection in the upcoming home summer. With Stuart Broad retired and the current first-choice pacers ageing, England may begin to invest in the likes of Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue.

Anderson achieved the milestone of becoming the first pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets in Dharamsala. McCullum praised the Lancashire man's hunger and desire.

England's lenient approach has been criticised for creating a comfortable environment where failure is too easily accepted.

Since McCullum and Stokes assumed leadership, only batter Alex Lees has been dropped after an extended period in the team.

Following the defeat in Dharamsala, Stokes warned that anyone who underestimates him or England does so at their own risk, while McCullum emphasised that both the coach and captain are fiercely competitive.