Search the Internet          Tips

Bangar relishes team role

Opener Sanjay Bangar, who produced a patient and well crafted 77 in the third Test against West Indies, said on Wednesday he was happy to have contributed to the team despite missing a deserved century.

"I was disappointed not to score a hundred, but I don't regret anything," he said after his effort helped pull India out of trouble to 275 for six at the close of day one.

The 30-year-old batsman has focused on preserving his wicket by giving up attractive shot-making to boost a side of stroke-players such as Sachin Tendulkar and opener Virender Sehwag.

Bangar stayed on for well over five hours during his 201-ball effort which helped India rally from 165 for four at tea after their top four batsmen had gone cheaply.

"They were bowling a good line and it was a slow wicket. My role was to bat on," he said referring to a four-pronged pace attack which stuck to a nagging line.

He was dismissed late in the final session with a tired drive to cover when he seemed set for his second Test hundred, but by then he had revived the innings with Vangipurappu Laxman (48).

Bangar made a late Test entry last year after prolonged good showing with bat and ball for national champions Indian Railways but said he was still fine-tuning his game.

"I have to work on my footwork, on putting away the bad balls more consistently," the unassuming player said.

Bangar has won praise from skipper Saurav Ganguly and coach John Wright for his commitment as an opener, a perennial problem area for India since Sunil Gavaskar retired in the late 1980's.

His invaluable 68, another patient effort, had also laid the foundation of India's series-levelling win in the third Headingley Test during their 1-1 draw in a recent four-match series in England.

Bangar also made a slow 55 during his 201-run opening stand with Sehwag in the first Bombay test. Sehwag went on to make 147 to win the accolades after India registered their first innings victory over the Caribbean side.

In Calcutta, Bangar did not score a run for long periods especially in the afternoon which produced only 67 runs in 25.3 overs, but said his job was to anchor the innings.

Bangar also said he never lost patience opening the batting with the explosive Sehwag.

"It is all about partnership," he said. "That is what batting is all about."

Also read:
'I am yet to establish myself in the team'

(C) 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similiar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.