Only fifteen overs were possible in the first day's play at Sinhalese Sports Club, but it was enough to highlight a few points. India were put in to bat and were soon reduced to 14/2 in under four overs. Two of their in-form batsmen KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane had been forced back to the pavilion. It was for the fifth time in five innings that the Indian openers had failed to put on a substantial stand. There has been a different opening combination for all three Tests and that is primarily because of injuries to the first-choice openers. Nevertheless, it is a problem. So was the pitch - a green-top is the last thing that you expect at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
"You definitely want your openers to ride over that tough phase of playing that new Kookaburra ball that does a lot in the first 15 overs. That has been a challenge," he says on the opening problem, laying a little emphasis on the type of ball (usually renowned to help seamers).
That is not the only change for an Indian batsman playing here. Answering a question specific to KL Rahul and his problems with the incoming delivery, Bangar again highlighted the need to adjust. "He's been playing in the domestic circuit for a while now and in domestic circuit the ball doesn't do much after pitching. With the Kookaburra ball, it does a lot after pitching. It is something that he is getting used to. We are working on a particular aspect of his batting and I think we will be able to sort it out very quickly," he says.
"Obviously, having a different opener in every Test also plays a role. No opening batsmen, because of the injury part, is batting there consistently. The more number of innings you get, the better position you are in to judge that. With a fresh opener in every Test, it becomes a bit difficult to judge," Bangar adds about the opening problem.
But, injury has not been the only reason for shuffling around of the batting o
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