Bangar Bangar will be taking over the reins from Mike Hesson.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Sanjay Bangar as head coach for the forthcoming IPL season. He will take over the mantle of coaching the side from Mike Hesson, who in turn will remain with the set-up as Director of Cricket Operations. Incidentally, the former New Zealand coach had taken over the additional role of head coach for the UAE leg of IPL 2021.

Bangar, who played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs for India, has donned coaching roles with multiple set-ups. In 2010, he was the batting coach of Kochi Tuskers in the IPL. He was named as the assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab before the 2014 IPL season. Subsequently, during the same season, he took over from Darren Lehmann as head coach and guided the side to their best ever show – runners-up – in the IPL. This year, he was appointed as RCB’s batting consultant. He has also served the India team in different coaching capacities – batting coach, assistant coach, alongside being head coach of the Indian team that toured Zimbabwe in June 2016.

Prathmesh Mishra, Chairman, Royal Challengers Bangalore, said: “RCB has been committed to its philosophy of supporting and grooming talents from within the team and appointing Sanjay Bangar is the reflection of that belief. Sanjay Bangar has been part of our support staff as a batting consultant and brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and batting coach, having worked extensively with the Indian cricket team. Sanjay has been chosen to be the head coach following a rigorous and robust selection procedure. We are confident that he will be able to bring his experience to the fore and maximize the potential of the squad. I congratulate Sanjay on this appointment and wish him all the best as we embark on this new chapter.”

Meanwhile, Bangar noted: “It’s an honor and great opportunity to serve such a great franchise in the capacity of Head Coach. I have worked with some exceptional and talented members in the squad and can’t wait to take this team to the next level. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done with the IPL Mega Auctions and the season following it, but I’m sure that together with the continued support of the management and the support staff, we can deliver the goods and bring cheer to our fans across the globe.”

With Hesson in his dual role as head coach and director of the side during the UAE leg of this year’s IPL, RCB reached the playoffs stage but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator.