Bangar named RCB head coach

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday named former India assistant coach Sanjay Bangar as the head coach for the next two years. The 49-year-old succeeds Australian Simon Katich who quit after the Indian leg of the IPL earlier this year citing personal reasons. Director of cricket operations Mike Hesson had stepped in to fill Katich’s role during the second leg in the UAE.Bangar, who featured in 12 Tests and 15 ODIs for India, is the first Indian at the helm of coaching in the Bengaluru-based franchise and is the seventh coach in 11 seasons after Martin Crowe, Ray Jennings, Daniel Vettori, Gary Kirsten, Katich and Hesson. In a social media video post by RCB, Hesson, speaking on Bangar’s appointment, said, “Sanjay has been chosen as head coach following a rigorous and robust selection procedure. We have been through interviews and were pleased with the quality of candidates we have spoken to. But Sanjay was our standout candidate. He is highly respected as a coach. Primarily known as a batting coach, but certainly has far more expertise than that. Sanjay is very good with building relationships with players and he does that through his expert knowledge.” On the new role, Bangar, who joined the RCB coaching staff this year, said, “It’s an honour and opportunity to serve such a great franchise in the capacity of head coach. I have worked with some exceptional and talented members in the squad and can’t wait to take this team to the next level.” Looking ahead to the mega auction for the 2022 season, Bangar added, “Our work has already begun in terms of auction strategy and retentions, so all our scouting staff and coaches have put their heads together and are working in earnest. We are committed to building a strong franchise and the long-cherished dream of winning an IPL championship.”