Sanjay Bangar’s role as batting coach under the scanner after India’s World Cup exit

India played superbly in the 2019 World Cup in the league stage to top the table before New Zealand shocked them in the semi-final. Nobody saw the batting collapse coming and the team eventually failed to chase 240. The contract of the current coaching staff has officially ended and while Ravi Shastri and other members look set to get a 45-day extension, the same is not the case with Sanjay Bangar.

Bangar who is tagged as Team India’s assistant coach but is also the batting coach has come under the scanner following a not so good performance from the team’s middle-order. It has been learnt that a certain section in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), feels that Bangar should’ve done a better job. On the other hand, the bowling unit has done extremely well under the watchful eyes of Bharat Arun and the fielding has improved as well thanks to R Sridhar.

“It was a constant struggle. While we are all supportive of the players and they had a good tournament with the exception of this bad day in office (in the semi-final against New Zealand), the support staff’s processes and decision-making will surely be scrutinised thoroughly prior to any decision being taken about their future,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by India Today.

Vijay Shankar injury issue

Moreover, Sanjay Bangar had claimed to the media that all the players were available for selection ahead of one of the matches. However, Vijay Shankar was ruled out of the World Cup the very next morning due to a toe injury. “Also, it was pretty ordinary stuff when you had Bangar stating to the Indian media contingent that every player was available for selection when Shankar was ruled out early next morning on account of an injury sustained earlier on tour.

“Things have been somewhat disorganised when it comes to the assessment of performances of the support staff being made by people who were keen on having select individuals continue in their positions,” he further said. It is also being said that a couple of players approached some of the former Indian batsmen to iron out their flaws despite Sanjay Bangar, the batting coach, being available in the dressing room.