(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Punjab Kings (PBKS) announced former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar as their head of cricket development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Friday.
Bangar will be working alongside the Punjab Kings head coach Trevor Baylis in this role, which resembles the director of cricket. There is a chance that he could also be present in the PBKS auction table on December 19.
“It’s my privilege to be with the Punjab Kings again. We have a good core of players as evidenced by the fact that we have the lowest number of player releases this year. The challenge is to give the squad the best support possible during and after the season to make the team stronger and deliver success,” Bangar said as quoted in the press release issued by Punjab Kings.
Bangar was Punjab’s assistant coach in the IPL for the 2014 season, which witnessed the franchise playing their first-ever final and becoming the runner-up. He was then elevated to the position of the head coach for the following two editions of the tournament, but failed to leave a positive impression as the Kings finished at the bottom of the points table successively.
The 51-year-old then became the India batting coach. After his stint with the national team, he again moved back to the IPL, performing the duties of the batting consultation for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2021. He received a promotion, taking over as the RCB gaffer in IPL 2022 and 2023.