Bangar: ‘Two more good sessions will put us ahead’

“The batting group got together and then we had a chat about how our approach had been,” explained India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane take a quick single at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday.

 

In the series thus far, a brittle Indian batting line-up has meant that the side has seldom been in a position from where it could force the issue. Monday’s final session, however, was different with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, combining to ensure the first wicket-less session of the Test.

“The batting group got together and then we had a chat about how our approach had been,” explained India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar. “We also looked into the past of how we negotiated spin and what were the areas where we could have adapted better. Here the batsmen really applied themselves, used their feet well and were trying to get to the pitch of the ball and also played well on the backfoot. All in all they have put up a better show.”

Sanjay Bangar's interaction with the media

 

“After having not scored enough runs in the first innings, it was good effort to claw our way back and not let the game run away. After the second session, we didn’t lose any wickets and consolidated in the third. Now what lies ahead could be exhilarating stuff.”

India, in fact, tried to wrest the initiative even earlier by promoting Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Rahane. The move, Bangar said, was to ensure a left-right combination. But it failed.

“We also wanted to make sure that we get (Nathan) Lyon slightly away from his line of attack. Because whenever a left-hander comes, Lyon generally comes around the wicket and he favours more to bowl outside the rough to the right-hander. Then if an opportunity was there, he could have gone after the left arm spinner. That was the plan.”

Even as he said that the match was still very much in the balance, Bangar felt that two more good sessions on Tuesday could turn the tide. “I think if we put up a good show in the next two sessions then we will slightly have our nose ahead.”