Sanjay Bangar, the former India allrounder, will be the head coach of the popular IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore for the next two years. RCB on Tuesday confirmed Bangar’s appointment in the role for the 2022 and 2023 editions of the IPL.
The 49-year-old was already part of the RCB support staff for the IPL 2021 as a batting consultant and is now elevated to the head coach’s job as Mike Hesson leaves his interim post.
Hesson, the team’s Director of Cricket operations, had to perform the dual role for the UAE leg of the IPL 2021 as the then head coach Simon Katich resigned from his position. Now with Bangar around, Hesson has taken the opportunity to go back to his original designation.
Bangar has built a nice CV for himself as a coach post his retirement. He was India’s batting coach for five years from 2014 to 2019 until Vikram Rathour replaced him. Before that, he was assistant coach of Punjab Kings before being promoted to head coach duties during the IPL 2014.
In terms of playing experience, Bangar played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs for India from 2001 to 2004 and stints with Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL for 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively. He played a total of 33 domestic T20Is with a strike-rate of 124.50 and economy rate of 7.35, apart from 165 first-class and 112 List A games.
“I have worked with some exceptional and talented members in the squad and can’t wait to take this team to the next level.
I would like to assure each one of the RCB fans that we are committed to build a strong franchise and we are committed to achieve the long-cherished dream of RCB to win an IPL championship,”
he said in an RCB media release.
Bangar added that the focus is building a strong enough squad by the end of the mega auction for a ten-team IPL 2022 and try and fulfill the longstanding dream of RCB fans.
Hesson said Bangar was a “standout candidate” to take over the head coach’s job and he is “pleased” to have him around.
One of Hesson and Bangar’s biggest challenges will be to identify RCB’s new captain as Virat Kohli’s tenure came to a close with the end of the IPL 2021.
