IPL 2021 | Royal Challengers Bangalore rope in Sanjay Bangar as batting consultant

After three tough years following the final run in the 2016 season, Royal Challengers Bangalore showed a comparatively better performance in the last edition of the Indian Premier League, qualifying for the play-offs. However, their inability to hold the fort in the crucial game resulted in the side going down to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator and thus failed to make the season count.

To improve the performance, RCB have roped in former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar, with whom Virat Kohli shares an amicable relationship, for the 14th edition of the league which is slated to be played in India this time.

Bangar was appointed as the batting coach of India in August 2014 before he was replaced by Vikram Rathour in the aftermath of the 2019 World Cup. He has since worked as a Television expert on Star Sports and had declined an offer from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to give more time to his family.

Earlier, before the Conflict of Interest rule came into being, Bangar had worked as the head coach of Kings XI Punjab. This will be his second IPL gig with a lot of responsibility on his shoulder following Royal Challengers Bangalore releasing a host of players to the auction pool in the retention window.