Sanjay Bangar on Lokesh Rahul’s form: “He is finding new ways to get out”

Sanjay Bangar on Lokesh Rahul’s form: The Indian batting coach seemed to be unhappy with the opening batsman’s form.

During the second day of India’s only warm-up match ahead of the Test series against Australia at Sydney, India captain Virat Kohli scored an impressive half-century to continue his good form ahead of the first Test which will from December 6 at Adelaide.

Slated to start yesterday, the first ball of the match was bowled today after play was aborted on the first day due to heavy rain. Sam Whiteman, captain of CA XI, had won the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

Not getting off to the best of starts, India lost their first wicket in the form of Lokesh Rahul (3) in the sixth over. The 26-year old right-hand opening batsman was seen playing a real loose shot before getting out. With India’s first-choice opener not being among the runs for some time now, it has given the team management a whole new point to consider.

 

While the pair of Rahul and Prithvi Shaw were highly likely of opening the batting at Adelaide, Rahul’s deteriorating form might call for the contrary. With Murali Vijay in the squad, you never know Rahul is shown the bench.

Post scoring his fifth Test hundred against England at The Oval earlier this year, Rahul has registered scored of 60, 0, 4, 33, 16, 26, 17, 13, 14 and 3 across formats. India batting coach Sanjay Bangar was particularly unhappy with the way Rahul has performed in the recent times.

“He has been looking in good shape, including today, it is just that he is finding new ways to get out. Even today, the ball was quite far and he played it away from his body and lost his wicket. But what we are reading is, he is playing the ball well and he is one hit away. We know his ability and if he converts that to performances then it is important for the team.

“He is not a young player anymore and he is on his second tour here. He has played 30 Tests and he has a responsibility. We expect him to play with that responsibility and play his role for the team,” Bangar was quoted as saying post the day’s play.

Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on Rahul below: