"That would be a challenging score" - Sanjay Bangar on what target India would be comfortable with in 1st IND vs SA 2025 Test  

Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckons that India would be comfortable chasing anything in the region of 120 in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He opined that the Proteas would have to set India a target of around 150 to pose a challenge to the hosts.

Bowlers have dominated the first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens so far. As many as 15 wickets fell on Day 2 on Saturday, November 15 as India gained ascendency in the contest. The Proteas went to stumps in their second innings at 93-7, with a lead of just 63 runs.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Bangar shared his thoughts on the kind of target India would be happy chasing. He opined:

"Even if they [South Africa] get to 120, and that would take a massive effort from the remaining batters, Indian team does have depth in their batting line-up. Don't think 120 is going to be a big issue for the Indian team. If it goes above 150, that would be a challenging score. They would feel very confident of chasing anything under 120."

At stumps on Day 2 in Kolkata, South African captain Temba Bavuma was batting on 29 and Corbin Bosch on one.

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"He thinks a little bit differently" - Bangar on Pant's captaincy on Day 2 of 1st IND vs SA 2025 Test

With regular captain Shubman Gill unavailable due to a stiff neck, vice-captain Rishabh Pant took charge on Day 2 in Kolkata. Gill has reportedly been hospitalized and is unlikely to take the field on Sunday too. Sharing his thoughts on Pant's leadership, Bangar described him as a captain who likes to do things differently. Expecting some unconventional moves from Pant on Day 3, he said:

"With Rishabh Pant at the helm, you can't really predict what he's going to do. Even if some bowler was picking up a wicket, you could see him being replaced in the very next over. He thinks a little bit differently. Even his plans against [Marco] Jansen, when he was looking to take on the fielders, Pant hardly had any fielders in catching position. "He tries and does things differently from a captaincy point of view," the former India batting coach concluded.

Speaking of India's top performers on Day 2, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets in South Africa's second innings, while wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with two scalps.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert