India is looking for their long waiting Test victory on the Australian soil as the visitors are now just six wickets behind to win this Adelaide Test against Australia which will be their first Test victory in Australia since the Perth Test in January 2018. However, Indian assistant coach Sanjay Bangar believes they should add more runs on the second innings as their last four wickets fell for just four runs.

After the brilliant 87-run fourth-wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, India lost their wickets in regular intervals. It happened worst for the tail-enders as India was bowled out on 307 runs from 303/6.

Talking about that collapse, the disappointed Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar said, “We were expecting at least 25 runs. That’s an area where we are continuously looking to improve. And we hope the lower order, especially number 9, 10 and 11 show more application than they did today. When Rishabh Pant walked in we were 260-odd. Immediately he released the pressure and gave us those quick 30-35 runs. Once he had put us in that position, we expected that with time, with a better approach and calculation, tactically he could have done better.

“But you don’t want to take the fearlessness away from him otherwise. Hitting against the turn and getting those boundaries are high percentage shots. Those are the shots that many courageous players have played.”

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The young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant played a cameo knock of 28 runs off just 16 balls (4 fours and only six). When Bangar was asked about his batting quality, the batting coach feels that Pant is a mature player.

Bangar replied, “He is a pretty mature player. He is capable of playing both games. He has another aspect to his game and for somebody who is just starting his career, it is an exciting prospect to have.”

Bangar also praised Pujara and Rahane whose strong batting performances helped India to set a very fighting fourth-innings target for the hosts. The batting coach also recalled the memory how they strongly batted during the South Africa and England tours earlier this year.

Recalling those moments, Bangar said, “One needs to understand that the margins in those games have been very, very slim. Right from Cape Town to the Oval, the margins of defeat were very small. We have put ourselves in those commanding positions. Unfortunately we couldn’t close those but as a team probably what we feel is that we have always been very competitive. Now it is about crossing the line.

“We have been through difficult periods where we have played under difficult conditions. But they started well here. When we arrived here in Adelaide, perception was that it is generally a batting friendly track. When we spoke to the groundsman he was of the opinion they had started using drop in wickets, which was needed to make the contest more even – 50-50 between bat and ball.

“Pujara showed tremendous application especially after where we were at the end of the first session. About Rahane and Pujara both are quality Test batsmen and whenever they have done well, they have put us in a good position.”

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After playing a brilliant rescue knock of 123 runs in the first innings, Pujara again played a valuable knock of 71 off 204 balls (9 fours).

Talking about Pujara, Bangar added, “He himself said that it is one of his best knocks. On the back of it, he has made a big contribution in the second innings as well. The big score had been elusive but he has managed to surpass those obstacles.”

On the other hand, Bangar also feels that Rahane will soon hit a big Test century who is carrying his fine batting form in the recent days.

Bangar added for Rahane, “Generally we leave it to the batsmen to take a call whether he wants a night-watchman or not. He was pretty keen to go on (in the second innings on day three) and wanted to be out there in the middle. As far as his form goes, he scored runs against West Indies and even in England he had scores in the third, fourth and fifth Tests. It’s just that the hundred has been elusive.”

Bangar is also happy with the start in the second innings of this Test as the openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay provided a 63-run partnership.

The batting coach said, “In the second innings we had a better start. It gave us a base. That is what we expect from the opening partnership. When you are playing the first session of the series, there are nerves. Some people are trying to make a comeback. Some have been out of form, so there could be a bit of anxiety.”

Indian opener Murali Vijay’s struggle with the bat continues in this Test match. The right-handed Indian opening batsman was dropped from the squad in the middle of the English tour during this August-September.

Speaking on Vijay, Bangar said, “Well he is part of the team plan. We are keen that the experience he possesses and the discipline that he can bring to the game.”