Press Trust of India
Nagpur, Nov 25: Refusing to blame the pitch for India’s slipshod batting performance on the opening day here Wednesday, batting coach Sanjay Bangar said the hosts paid for a few errors of judgement on a ‘challenging and result-oriented wicket’ during the third Test against South Africa.
“It’s definitely a result-oriented wicket which is equally challenging for both sides. Whichever side adjusts to it (better) will end up with a chance of winning the game,” said Bangar while talking to reporters after the end of the day’s play.
Though the Indian batting effort lasted just 78.2 overs, Bangar said all his batsmen applied themselves to the task. “All our batsmen applied themselves well. But when the wicket is slightly challenging there are likely to be errors in judgement. It’s all part of the game,” pointed out Bangar.
Bangar also asserted defending the hosts’ tactics in the series that teams visiting the Indian sub-continent should expect such conditions. “When India travel overseas, ball starts seaming from the first over. It’s the same for teams coming to sub-continent. Wickets are same for both sides; it is a test of skills. Just as skill against the seaming ball is important, skill against the spinning ball is also equally important,” Bangar stated.
“Patience is a very important on this pitch while playing the spinning ball, trusting your defense, getting to pitch, using the depth of the crease or using the feet,” added the former Test player.
