Sanjay Bangar defends Nagpur pitch

Sanjay Bangar defends pitches that favour India's spinners

India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar called the pich in Nagpur a “result-oriented wicket which is equally challenging for both sides” after India were bowled out for 215 on day one of the third Test against South Africa, reports IBN Live.

"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.

He was also quick to defend the pitches provided in the Test Series.

"When India travel overseas, ball starts seaming from the first over. It's the same for teams coming to subcontinent. 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."

"It's a very challenging wicket to score. This has been a low scoring series and we have to accept that," he said.

On how to approach a turning track, he said: "Patience is a very important virtue here while playing the spinning ball, trusting your defense, getting to pitch, using the depth of the crease or using the feet. You saw all our batsmen played a lot of balls during the innings.”

Despite Murali Vijay being the highest scorer with just 40, Bangar was pleased with the application of his batsmen. "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.”

Although wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha only made 32, Bangar was pleased that he applied himself and stayed for a period time and he also said Rohit Sharma will come good, despite his 2 off 28 balls.

"What works in Saha's favour is that he has got loads of first class experience. He's played for 7-8 seasons, scored 4000 runs. He puts a price tag on his wicket. He's a very good utility player. You saw today the substantial contribution he made with Jadeja which was really crucial for crossing 200," Bangar said.

"In the previous two Tests (that) he played, he has given good contributions to the Indian team. When we won two Tests in Sri Lanka, Rohit scored. Because of the team composition he could not find place in the first two Tests. It's just one innings. We have to give him more chances and then see," he added.

Smart work by Morne Morkel

The former Indian batsman was also glowing in his praise for South Africa’s Morne Morkel, who he believed adjusted brilliantly.

"It was a really smart adjustment by Morne Morkel as far as length is concerned because in the first session he was dragging his length back which is his normal length. What we noticed in the second session is that he pushed his length higher and that is something for a challenge for our batsmen and we are already thinking about it.”

"What happens when ball starts to reverse is batsmen tend to expect the ball to come into the pads and play outside the line. That’s what happened to Virat (Kohli). The slow nature of the wicket, not many runs can be scored in front and because of pressure to score there is error in judgment," he added.