Sanjay's childhood coach Joshi hails his ward’s elevation as assistant coach
Sanjay Bangar with Ajinkya Rahane at Brabourne Stadium last year
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Team India's new head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun have been talking points for the last few days. However, one man who has been less projected is Sanjay Bangar. The former India all-rounder's fine work with the team since 2014 as batting coach has earned him a promotion to assistant coach.
In Aurangabad, one man is mighty proud of Bangar and thrilled over his elevation – his childhood coach Kiran Joshi. "Sanjay thoroughly deserves this promotion to assistant coach as his performance and results speak volumes of his efforts. He is a low-key personality, very easily approachable and his consistent hard work with the Indian team has paid off," Joshi, 63, told mid-day over the phone from Aurangabad recently. India beat Sri Lanka in the opening Test at Galle on Saturday. "I expect Sanjay to stay as the batting coach, but his elevation has pleased me thoroughly," he added.
Kiran Joshi
As a 13-year-old kid in Marathwada, Bangar, 44, joined Joshi's Aurangabad's Pioneer Cricket Club and learnt the art of cricket well enough to be picked in the Maharashtra under-19 level team. But that didn't come easy. Stung by his non-inclusion in the Aurangabad district under-15 team, Bangar spared no sweat in lifting his game to a point where the Maharashtra under-19 selectors had no option but to pick him. Joshi advised Bangar's father to shift to Mumbai where the young cricketer would get better exposure. However, Bangar couldn't break into the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team and then took up an offer to play for Railways.
Bangar's international call-up in 2001-02 came about through his exploits for Railways and his 68 as opener against England in seaming conditions during the 2002 Leeds Test led to an invaluable 170-run second wicket partnership with Rahul Dravid and ultimately a famous win for India.
"Sanjay's elevation is like an endorsement from head coach Shastri, a certificate from him on Sanjay's contribution to the team. I am confident he will do full justice to his new role," said Joshi. Bangar's international duties do not prevent him from staying in touch with his childhood coach.
When India played England in the Pune one-day international earlier this year, Bangar arranged tickets and accommodation for his coach, just like he did when he made his Test debut in the 2001-02 Mohali Test where India beat England by 10 wickets. Towards the end of our conversation, Joshi provided an example of his ward's grit. "He used to write letters to me regularly.
"Once, he was not getting picked for India despite consistent showing in first-class cricket for Railways and Central Zone (in the Duleep Trophy) and Sanjay wrote to me to say, 'Nothing can stop me from reaching my goal (to play for India).' Such is his determination," concluded Joshi.
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