India's batting coach Sanjay Bangar on Friday lauded his batsmen for adapting quickly to team's requirements by coming out to bat at any position they are asked to.
India's batting coach Sanjay Bangar on Friday lauded his batsmen for adapting quickly to team's requirements by coming out to bat at any position they are asked to.
"All the batsmen are willing to bat at any position which is a big plus of this team," said Bangar after the first day's play of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka, which was a near-complete wash out due to persistent rain, in Colombo on Friday.
"They are willing to take up the challenge and come out of their comfort zone. They really challenge their abilities and test their skills in challenging conditions," he added. Bangar said the players' willingness to bat anywhere in the order makes his work easier.
"I think once the decision is made by that particular batsman, it becomes just a matter of time of getting used to initial part of his innings and then it's batting as usual. It's just a matter of mindset and more the willingness of the players, the easier my job becomes," said Bangar.
The Indian team management had reshuffled the batting order in the second Test against Sri Lanka, sending Ajinkya Rahane at number three and Rohit Sharma at five. Rahane had responded with a century while Rohit also chipped in with crucial runs.
Talking about his work with different batsmen at different positions, Bangar said, "Rahane is someone accustomed to batting at number four or five in Tests. So the ball is 25 overs old and you play on the up and your stride shortens a bit. We worked on getting a good stride for him so he has a stable base and he plays the ball as late as possible and close to the body.
"That worked for him in the second innings of the P Sara Test and he got off really well today too. But he got one good delivery and got out. That's how cricket is." On the Cheteshwar Pujara opening the innings, the coach said:
"We definitely work on specific sectors with specific batsmen. With Pujara, we definitely want him to get to the pitch of the ball as much as possible, using the depth of the crease to the deliveries that are really not well pitched up, and again honing his skills. Playing fast bowling is his strength.
"We want to make sure he gets enough balls to hit so if and when the opportunity comes, he's ready and goes out there in the best possible frame of mind and contributes to the team's cause."
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 "Sanjay Bangar")
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