Sanjay Banger on Saturday said that batsmen are under tremendous pressure as they are “playing for their careers”, and they understand that.
India's Ajinkya Rahane walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket. (Photo: AFP)
Indian cricket team’s batting coach Sanjay Banger on Saturday said that batsmen are under tremendous pressure as they are “playing for their careers”, and they understand that.
Barring India skipper Virat Kohli, visitors’ batters failed in first two Tests against England, resulting in embarrassing defeats. ICC table toppers in Test ranking, India is trailing the five-match Test series 0-2. However, contrary to their performance in first two Tests, on Saturday, Indian side put up a solid batting display on the first day of the third game to 307 for six at stumps.
“…The players themselves are under tremendous pressure – they are playing for their careers. We understand that,” Bangar said after first day’s game, adding, “To make at times when things don’t really work in your favour, it is important to maintain composure, have the same sort of sense whether things are going well or not going well. Maintaining your equilibrium, that helps.”
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India batsmen’s poor batting display had put a question mark on the support staff, but Bangar is not worried about that as it comes with the job.
“All of us understand clearly there is no magic wand we can work on any batsman. You have to understand the last five Test matches we played abroad have been in really trying conditions except for the Centurion Test,” Bangar said.
“Take the Johannesburg Test, which we from within the group believe was one of our best performances, not in terms of the number of runs but the victory we achieved in trying circumstances. So what we value is that Test win over any Test win we have had.”
“And yes, handling pressure is part and parcel of any professional’s job and we try and do whatever we can do, the support we can give and the plans that we can strategise.”
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