Sanjay Bangar returns to Punjab Kings as head of cricket development after exit from RCB 

Sanjay Bangar previously was the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Sanjay Bangar returns to Punjab Kings as head of cricket development after exit from RCB 

Sanjay Bangar has returned to Punjab after 7 years (Image via ESPN)

Sanjay Bangar was appointed as an consultant for IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore. After two seasons with the team, which included him being promoted as the head coach of the team, he was sacked. The entire RCB coaching staff was replaced as the team decided they needed a new team management for the upcoming seasons. 

While Mike Hesson hasn’t found a new role for any IPL team, Bangar has returned to Kings XI Punjab. He was the assistant coach in 2014 was then promoted as their head coach in 2015, which he held till 2016. He had to leave the role as he was appointed as the batting coach for India. 

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.
Sanjay Bangar on PBKS’s Media release

Punjab Kings have released 7 players and go into the 2024 IPL Auction with ₹29.1 crore. They have 8 slots left, out of which 2 are for overseas. Stars like Jonny Baistrow, Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada were retained. 

All coaching staff changes before the 2024 IPL

There were many changes to the coaching staff of 8 teams in the IPL. One of the most publicized moves was Gautam Gambhir’s exit from Lucknow SuperGiants only to return to Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor. Sanjay Bangar returned to Kings XI Punjab after being sacked by Royal Challengers Bangalore. Along with Bangar, Mike Hesson was sacked as well, and the two were replaced by Andy Flower and Mo Bobat. Meanwhile Sridharan Sriram resigned andjoined LSG. Sunrisers Hyderabad had just fired Brian Lara and replaced him with former RCB coach, Daniel Vettori. 

Justin Langer
Justin Langer will have his first stint as an IPL coach in 2024. (Image via ESPN)

Mumbai Indians replaced Shane Bond for Rajasthan Royals’s Lasith Mailnga, while Malinga was replaced by Bond. Meanwhile former Australian coach Justin Langer joined LSG as their new head coach. As Ajit Agarkar was hired as the new Indian team selector, he had to resign from Delhi Capitals, with Shane Watson replacing him.

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