India batting coach Sanjay Bangar lauded the half-centurions Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane after their 87-run stand helped the visitors set Australia a daunting target, but called on the lower order to show more application.
India took complete control of the first Test against Australia on Day 4, thanks in no small part to seventies from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane which helped India to 307 – in response to which Australia slipped to 104/4. The duo had joined hands at 147/3 on Saturday, and built on India’s already strong position on Sunday.
Pujara scored a fine 71 to follow up on his defiant first-innings century while Rahane scored 70 before perishing.
“We were expecting at least 25 (more) runs from there,” said Bangar. That is an area where we are continuously looking to improve. And we are hoping that the lower order, especially the tailenders at 9, 10, 11 show a bit more application than what they did today.”
But the coach was effusive in his praise for Pujara and Rahane, lauding the former for his first innings effort too. “Tremendous application especially after where we were at the end of the first session (on the first day) where we lost four wickets. But after that a lot of resistance and resilience was shown by Pujara,” he said.
“(Pujara) has himself said that it was one of his best knocks, and on back of that he’s repeated that and made a big contribution in the second innings as well. So he’s managed to surpass obstacles, and got those big scores that every batsman wants. He must be very satisfied that he’s done a role for the team and that must have led to some personal landmarks and personal glory, which he richly deserves.”
“Ajinkya and Pujara, both [are] quality Test players and whenever they have done well they have put us in a good position.”
