Improved Windies ‘set really smart fields’ – Sanjay Bangar

India ended the second day of the Test at 308/4, a deficit of just three runs, but there were times during the course of the day when the Windies were on the front foot. After Roston Chase’s century helped the Windies to 311, India were reduced to 162/4 in the second session.

It was then that Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane joined forces to add an unbroken 146-run stand for the fifth wicket, taking India to a position of control.

But there was no denying it was massively improved performance from the visitors, after their innings-and-272-run loss in Rajkot. “As compared to Rajkot, they put really smart fields and they’re bowling to a plan,” said Bangar on Saturday, 13 October. “There weren’t too many fielders in catching positions, even against spinners, so the batsmen had to work harder for their runs – the number of boundaries were lesser compared to Rajkot.

“They bowled a better line. They made us work harder for the runs. It was a game of patience. They were waiting for us to commit mistakes, and the batsmen were waiting for loose balls.”

Despite that, India are in control, and Bangar was all praise for Pant and Rahane. “We’ve two set batsmen, and it’s very heartening to see the way Rishabh and Ajinkya have approached their innings,” he said. “Both have been very patient and disciplined, and Ajinkya is also due a big score.

“If they get over that initial 30-35 overs – the new ball is due and the bowlers will be fresher – we have a very capable lower order. Ideally, if we can bat another two sessions, we’ll be in a great position.”

There was, however, one worry for India – the form of KL Rahul. The opener was dismissed for nought once again – as he was in his only outing in Rajkot – attempting to leave a ball on the fourth-stump line.

Bangar said there was nothing to be concerned of yet. “He’s had some issues with balls which have been coming into him,” he said. “He’s working on it really hard, but what we feel is that at times the batsman, he thinks a lot about only the away-going balls. He forgets to concentrate on the straighter balls or those that pitch on the stump line.

“If these dismissals happen once he’s crossed 20 or 25, then it’s a more serious cause of concern. From my point of view, what’s more important is that he’s concentrating or expecting the balls to be pitching more on stump lines, and take it from there. The second road block is if he gets a start and he falters (after that), then it’s a cause of concern.”