No point targeting a 'successful' Virat Kohli's one-or-two failures: Sanjay Bangar

New Delhi: Virat Kohli's dismal performance in the Test series against Australia has raised quite a few eyebrows, not just of ex-cricket greats and pundits but also of fans. While the Aussie media has been constantly target the Indian captain – both for his poor usage of DRS and form – Indian cricket team's assistant caoch Sanjay Bangar says that one should not read too much into Virat Kohli's failures with the bat in the opening two Tests against Australia as he has enjoyed an outstanding run in the home season prior to this series.

"Virat's batting has been outstanding. So we should not be commenting on one or two failures when he has been so successful. Virat's mindset is that he will learn from failures. This is his greatness. In the coming matches, he will perform well," said Bangar after stumps on day three of the evenly balanced second Test.

Kohli, after failing to leave his mark in the Pune Test, was dismissed cheaply for the fourth time in as many innings despite reviewing the lbw decision off Josh Hazlewood. Bangar too expressed his dissapointment on the failed DRS.

"We were all quite disappointed. If there was conclusive evidence it would have been better. Virat was really pumped up. He is a big match, big impact player, wanted to succeed very badly. So it was a normal sort of reaction in the dressing room when he gets out cheaply," said Bangar.

The DRS review went with the on-field umpire's call.

"This has gone to that extent, but we are new to DRS. The rules have also been tweaked a bit. So whatever it is umpire's call becomes very crucial. We have not really sat down and evaluated but we are learning as we are playing.

"It is for the administrators to decide on what particular technology should be used," he felt.

India have managed to put up a much improved batting show in the second innings and lead Australia by 126 runs going into day four with six wickets in hand.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane shared an unbeaten 93-run stand for the fifth wicket to resurrect the innings after losing the first four wickets for 120 runs.

Bangar praised the batsmen, saying they were finally able to apply themselves in the centre.

"We looked into the past of how we performed and what are the areas we have to adapt. After the chat we came out with solutions. The batsmen really applied themselves, used their feet quite a bit, trying to get to the pitch of the ball and also play on the backfoot. So, they put up definitely their best efforts than what they did in the previous three innings," he said.

Bangar said the game was evenly balanced.

"We fought really well over the past two days, overcoming the setback of not scoring enough runs in the first innings. Now we are back in the game and will not let the game run away from us.

"All in all it is a very hard fought Test match. What lies ahead could be exhilarating."

Bangar called the surface a challenging one which will only deteriorate as the game progresses.

"It has been a challenging wicket. It has been having variable bounce. The cracks are going to get wider. So, it will going to be a test for both the teams. So, as I said the game hangs very much in balance this moment. If India can put up better show with the bat for the next two sessions we are likely to have our noses ahead," said Bangar.  

(With PTI inputs)