Bangar will replace Mike Hesson who was managing the role in addition to being the Director of Cricket Operations at RCB.
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Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has been appointed as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, the IPL franchise announced. Bangar, who had joined the team as a batting consultant earlier this year, will replace Mike Hesson, who was managing the role in addition to being the Director of Cricket Operations at RCB. Hesson was given the added responsibility of being the head coach for the second half of Indian Premier League 2021 after Australian Simon Katich made himself unavailable. It is to be noted that Mike Hesson will continue as the Director of Cricket Operations.
Sanjay Bangar had famously worked as the batting coach of Team India with Ravi Shastri. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the RCB management and the entire structure of RCB for reposing faith in me and giving me an opportunity in the position of the head coach to serve the great franchisee of RCB. Our work has already begun in terms of auction strategy. I would like to assure each of the RCB fans that we are committed to building a strong squad and we are committed to achieving the long-cherished dream of winning an IPL trophy,” Bangar said on the appointment, as per their team’s website.
It will be interesting to see how the franchise will perform in the upcoming season, as RCB will head into a new era. Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has already stepped down as the captain following their run to the play-offs in IPL 2021. However, Kohli has assured that he would continue to play for RCB. Bangar will be working closely with Hesson ahead of the much-talked-about mega auction.
Sanjay Bangar named Head Coach of RCB
Mike Hesson speaks about the appointment of RCB’s Head Coach while Sanjay Bangar addresses the fans explaining his plans for the mega auction and the 2022 season, on @myntra presents Bold Diaries.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/wkm7VbizTV
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 9, 2021
On Bangar’s appointment, Hesson said, “He is highly respected a coach, primarily known as a batting coach, but certainly has far more expertise than just that. We are very lucky to have Sanjay on board with us at RCB and now to be able to promote him to the head coach, we are delighted with that appointment. I am sure all the players and support staff will be too.”
“We are all aware that 2020 will be a mega auction. So, there is obviously plenty of work that needs to take place for RCB between now and when the auction occurs in the new year. One of the major parts of that is obviously retention. And there has been plenty of discussions internally around that. Now with Sanjay being appointed to his role of head coach, he will obviously be heavily involved in those discussions in the future,” Hesson added.
Meanwhile, Prathmesh Mishra, Chairman, Royal Challengers Bangalore, in a statement, said: “RCB has been committed to its philosophy of supporting and grooming talents from within the team and appointing Sanjay Bangar is the reflection of that belief. Sanjay Bangar has been part of our support staff as a batting consultant and brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and batting coach, having worked extensively with the Indian cricket team.”
“Sanjay has been chosen to be the head coach following a rigorous and robust selection procedure. We are confident that he will be able to bring his experience to the fore and maximize the potential of the squad. I congratulate Sanjay on this appointment and wish him all the best as we embark on this new chapter.”
