Expected a better application from the lower order: Sanjay Bangar

India were sitting pretty at the lunch on the fourth day of the Adelaide Test at 260/5 with an overall lead of 275 runs. With two pure batsmen at the crease, they would’ve garnered hopes of crossing the 350-run mark at least. But the lower-order including Rishabh Pant threw their wickets away and were bundled out for just 307 runs in the first hour of the second session. India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar admitted after the end of day’s play that the lower-order should’ve batted better and hoped that they will improve going forward in the series.

The similar aspect had cost India the series in England a few months ago as the hosts used to almost double their total with their lower order. In contrast, Team India’s last four wickets used to be a cake-walk for James Anderson and Co. The fact that India were already in a strong position in Adelaide helped them as the collapse from 303/6 to 307/10 didn’t cost them much.

We were expecting at least 25 runs

Rishabh Pant was batting aggressively with Ajinkya Rahane at the other end. But the former couldn’t resist his instincts and was holed out soon after lunch to pave the way for the Australian to go through the lower-order. Sanjay Bangar, while speaking to the reporters felt that Pant could’ve done better tactically.

“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,” he said.

However, Bangar also went on to say that the team management expected at least 25 runs from the last three batsmen and pointed out that it will be an area to improve for them going forward in the series. “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,” the batting coach added.

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