Punjab Kings made a strategic move on Friday by appointing former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar as the head of cricket development for the upcoming IPL season.
Bangar, a former Indian all-rounder, previously served as the assistant coach when the team reached the runners-up spot in 2014. However, in the subsequent two seasons, he took on the role of head coach during challenging times, with the team finishing at the bottom of the table.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Bangar stated in a media release, “It’s my privilege to be with the Punjab Kings again.” In his new role, Bangar will collaborate with the team’s head coach, Trevor Bayliss, forming a dynamic think tank for the IPL auction scheduled in Dubai on December 19.
Highlighting the team’s strengths, Bangar emphasized, “We have a good core group of players, as evidenced by the fact that we have the lowest number of player releases this year.” Recognizing the challenge ahead, he outlined the goal of providing optimal support to the squad during and after the season to strengthen the team and achieve success.
Prior to joining Punjab Kings, Bangar served as the batting consultant for Royal Challengers Bangalore before taking on the role of the team’s head coach for the next two years.
In terms of team dynamics, Punjab Kings have made strategic player releases, including Tamil Nadu’s Shahrukh Khan, as part of their preparations for the upcoming season. With Bangar’s wealth of experience and a dedicated coaching team, Punjab Kings aim to navigate the IPL auction effectively and build a formidable squad capable of delivering success on the field.