Selectors And Team Management Was Part of Decision-Making On Number 4 Slot - Sanjay Bangar

Sanjay Bangar was made the scapegoat for India’s loss in the recently-concluded ICC World Cup 2019. He was the only member, who failed to impress the selection panel in order to retain his job with the Indian National Cricket Team. Now, he reveals that everyone in the management is part of the decision-making for the number 4 slot.

Sanjay Bangar was disappointed after becoming the only member of the India coaching staff to have not retained his job as his stint with the national team as batting coach came to an end after the West Indies tour. However, he quickly got over it and reflected fondly on the five years he spent with the team.

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Selectors are also part of it – Sanjay Bangar

India’s inability to find a suitable candidate for the No. 4 spot in ODI cricket and their subsequent semi-final exit from the ICC World Cup 2019 put Bangar in the spotlight. Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were all tried at the position but neither succeeded.

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“The entire team management and selectors were part of the decision making for the No. 4 spot. The choice relied upon current form, fitness criteria, whether he was a left-hander, whether he could bowl, etc,” he exlained.

This break gives me time to reinvent:

Further, he thanked all the previous coaches for having him in the setup. Right from Duncan Fletcher to Anil Kumble followed by Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Bangar was the batting coach for India for almost 5 years. During his tenure, the Indian team achieved a lot in the home and away series across the formats.

“I look back on the progress the team made since 2014 and being No. 1 in Tests for three years in a row with happiness. We won 30 out of 52 Tests played, 13 of them overseas. We also won consistently in ODIs in all countries. The only thing that eluded us was the World Cup,” he said.

“Being disappointed is a natural feeling, which lasted for just a few days. But I thank the BCCI and all the coaches, Duncan (Fletcher), Anil (Kumble) and Ravi (Shastri), for giving me an opportunity to serve Indian cricket for five years. This break gives me time to reflect, refresh and reinvent.”

Bangar’s five-year stint with the Indian team as batting coach ended after the West Indies tour where India won the T20I, ODI, and Test series without breaking too much sweat. After the ruckus, his position was ultimately handed to Vikram Rathour, who is going to be the new face in the Indian Dressing Room.

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All in all, it was a brilliant service by Sanjay Bangar for the Indian team. Under him, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara are ruling the game of cricket.