'Rahane and Pujara are quality players' – Sanjay Bangar

India took complete control of the first Test against Australia on Day 4, thanks in no small part to seventies from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane which helped India to 307 – in response to which Australia slipped to 104/4. The duo had joined hands at 147/3 on Saturday, and built on India's already strong position on Sunday.

Pujara scored a fine 71 to follow up on his defiant first-innings century while Rahane scored 70 before perishing. While India were able to post a 300-plus score because of their efforts, the poor show by the lower order left the team wanting in that area – they lost the last five wickets for just 25 runs.

"We were expecting at least 25 (more) runs from there," said Bangar. That is an area where we are continuously looking to improve. And we are hoping that the lower order, especially the tailenders at 9, 10, 11 show a bit more application than what they did today."

But the coach was effusive in his praise for Pujara and Rahane, lauding the former for his first innings effort too. "Tremendous application especially after where we were at the end of the first session (on the first day) where we lost four wickets. But after that a lot of resistance and resilience was shown by Pujara," he said.

"(Pujara) has himself said that it was one of his best knocks, and on back of that he's repeated that and made a big contribution in the second innings as well. So he's managed to surpass obstacles, and got those big scores that every batsman wants. He must be very satisfied that he's done a role for the team and that must have led to some personal landmarks and personal glory, which he richly deserves."

"Ajinkya and Pujara, both [are] quality Test players and whenever they have done well they have put us in a good position."

Rahane will be pleased with the effort especially since his form has been a bit patchy lately, but the hundred-mark, which he last reached in August 2017, remains elusive.

"In the previous West Indies series he got scores. In England, he got scores in the third, fourth and the fifth game. It's just that the 100 has been elusive. The big knock which we all are expecting and he also is working hard towards it."