Cricket

Sanjay Bangar's son, Aryan, has undergone a hormonal replacement surgery and transitioned to Anaya. The 23-year-old cricketer shared his transformation journey on Instagram, showcasing his 10-month progress.Anaya's journey has been marked by sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. She has faced doubts and judgments, but has remained steadfast in her pursuit of authenticity. "Embracing my true self meant making hard choices, letting go of the comfort of fitting in, and standing up for who I am," she wrote in her video caption.Anaya's transformation has not been without its challenges. In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled that transgender athletes will not be allowed to participate in women's cricket. Anaya expressed her disappointment over the decision, stating that it undermines inclusivity and the safety of players.Despite the setbacks, Anaya remains committed to her passion for cricket. She continues to play at the local club level and is an active member of the Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.Anaya's story is an inspiration to all who are struggling with their gender identity. It is a reminder that authenticity and self-acceptance are paramount, even in the face of adversity.

Punjab Kings, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has announced a major shake-up in its coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. Trevor Bayliss, the head coach, and Sanjay Bangar, the head of cricket development, have both been released from their roles.The move comes as part of a wider restructuring of the Kings' coaching setup, with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently appointed as the new head coach. Bayliss had taken over as head coach after the 2022 IPL season, while Bangar joined the franchise in December 2023.Despite the changes, the Kings have yet to taste IPL success, finishing seventh in 2023 and ninth last season. The franchise is hoping that the new coaching team, led by Ponting, can help them break their title drought.Bayliss, a former England coach, has a wealth of experience in T20 cricket, having led the Sydney Sixers to two Big Bash League titles. Bangar, on the other hand, is a former India international who has served as the head coach of the Indian national team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.The Kings' decision to part ways with Bayliss and Bangar is a sign of their determination to improve their performance in the IPL. With Ponting at the helm, the franchise will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2024.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: Longevity in Cricket's Modern EraFormer India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have the potential to surpass the illustrious careers of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This optimistic outlook stems from the evolving landscape of modern cricket, which emphasizes workload management and player longevity.Bangar, speaking on The Rao Podcast, highlighted the advancements in fitness regimes and support systems that are enabling players to extend their playing years. He noted that Rohit Sharma, who is currently 35 years old, could continue playing for several more years if his fitness permits."Sachin played till 40, and even Rahul played till 40," Bangar said. "With better fitness standards and more professionals looking after players, including nutritionists, careers are going to get longer."Bangar also emphasized Kohli's unwavering commitment to Test cricket, suggesting that it would be the last format he would give up. "Even with Virat, it depends on his body," Bangar said. "The last format that he would give away will be Test cricket. So, I am sure that you will see Virat playing Test cricket for another five years."The pursuit of major trophies, such as the World Cup and World Test Championship, could further motivate Kohli and Sharma to prolong their careers. "India winning the World Cup doesn't mean that Rohit is going to walk away," Bangar explained. "Rohit has tasted success now, and India still wants to win the World Test Championship—there is something to look forward to."Bangar's predictions are based on the changing dynamics of modern cricket, where players are increasingly prioritizing their health and longevity. With the support of advanced fitness and recovery techniques, Kohli and Sharma have the potential to continue their dominance in the game for years to come.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is poised to be a blockbuster event, with several high-profile players potentially switching franchises. Among the most sought-after names is Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain.Rohit's departure from the Mumbai Indians has been widely anticipated since his removal as captain ahead of the 2024 season. The move, which saw Hardik Pandya take over the reins, drew criticism from fans and former cricketers alike.Given his immense brand value, Rohit is expected to attract significant interest if he enters the auction pool. With the BCCI likely to limit teams to retaining only six players, the chances of Rohit playing for a new franchise next season are high.One team that has openly expressed interest in Rohit is the Punjab Kings, who are yet to win an IPL title. Sanjay Bangar, the team's Director of Cricket Operations, acknowledged their desire to acquire Rohit but emphasized that it would depend on their financial situation."It all depends on whether we have the money in our pockets. If Rohit comes in the auction, I certainly believe he is going to go for a high price," Bangar said in an interview.With Shikhar Dhawan retiring from all forms of cricket, the Punjab Kings are in need of a new captain. Rohit, with his experience and leadership qualities, would be an ideal candidate for the role.Despite being 37 years old, Rohit's performances in the recent T20 World Cup demonstrated that he still possesses the skills and determination to excel at the highest level. His presence in the Punjab Kings lineup would undoubtedly boost their chances of success in the upcoming IPL season.

Virat Kohli's decision to step down as India's Test captain in January 2022 raised eyebrows, with many believing he should have continued in the role. Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar echoed this sentiment, stating that Kohli could have led India in red-ball cricket for a longer period.Kohli's tenure as Test captain was marked by unprecedented success. He took over from MS Dhoni in 2014 and led the team in 68 matches, securing 40 victories with a win percentage of 58.82. Under his leadership, India achieved historic milestones, including their maiden Test series triumph in Australia in 2018, victories in the West Indies, and reaching the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021.Kohli's home record as captain was particularly impressive, with 24 wins out of 31 Tests played in India, and only two losses. His aggressive and fearless approach inspired the team to numerous memorable victories.However, Kohli's decision to step down from the captaincy came as a surprise to many. Bangar believes that Kohli could have continued in the role for longer, given his exceptional leadership qualities and the team's success under his guidance.After Kohli's departure, Rohit Sharma was named India's skipper in all formats. Both Kohli and Rohit have since retired from T20Is, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the leadership in the shortest format. Rohit continues to lead the team in ODIs and Test cricket.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) is reportedly set to part ways with head coach Trevor Bayliss, whose two-year contract has expired. The Australian coach took over from Anil Kumble ahead of the 2023 IPL season, but PBKS's disappointing performances under his guidance have prompted the franchise to seek an Indian replacement.Bayliss's tenure at PBKS has been marked by underwhelming results, with the team finishing eighth and ninth in the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons, respectively. Despite the franchise's lack of complaints about Bayliss's coaching style, the team's poor performance has ultimately led to his potential ouster.The move to replace Bayliss with an Indian coach aligns with a recent trend in the IPL, where Indian coaches and mentors have achieved notable success with various franchises. PBKS is reportedly considering several options, including Sanjay Bangar, as Bayliss's successor.Bayliss's departure from PBKS would follow the recent exit of Ricky Ponting as head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC). Ponting's seven-year tenure at DC ended without an IPL title, and the franchise is now considering Sourav Ganguly, their current team director, as a potential replacement.The coaching carousel in the IPL continues to spin, with franchises seeking to find the right combination of leadership and strategy to achieve success in the highly competitive tournament. PBKS's decision to part ways with Bayliss and pursue an Indian coach is a reflection of the evolving landscape of the IPL, where Indian coaches are increasingly being recognized for their abilities.

Sanjay Bangar, former India cricketer and batting coach, has expressed his disappointment over the decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, instead of Hardik Pandya. Bangar believes that Pandya, who played a crucial role in India's recent T20 successes, has been unfairly overlooked.Bangar expressed surprise that Pandya was not given the captaincy, considering his strong leadership record. Pandya has led the Indian team to 10 victories in 16 T20Is, while Yadav has captained Team India in seven T20Is, winning five of them."I am a bit surprised as far as Hardik not being the captain of the T20 team is concerned because even before the previous T20 World Cup it seemed like if Rohit hadn't become the captain and Hardik hadn't gotten injured at that time, Hardik only would have become the captain," Bangar said on Star Sports.Bangar acknowledged that Yadav has a lot of experience and has led Mumbai in domestic cricket, but he still feels that Pandya has been treated unfairly. "I fully believe that he [Yadav] will do a good job, but I still feel a little injustice has been meted out to Hardik," Bangar said.While acknowledging that selectors and coach Gautam Gambhir might have explained their reasons to Pandya, Bangar opined that the all-rounder would still feel hurt by the decision. "As a player, you are always understanding what the selectors are trying to do, what the new coach is trying to do but deep within himself, I am pretty sure that Hardik will be deeply hurt that he is not being considered for T20 captaincy," Bangar stated.

Despite Hardik Pandya's underwhelming performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have defended his selection for the T20 World Cup 2024.Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's exceptional record in World Cups, particularly his performances in the 2019 World Cup. He emphasized Pandya's all-round contributions, including his match-winning knock in the India-Pakistan clash and his crucial innings in the semi-final against New Zealand."Hardik Pandya has consistently performed well in World Cups," Manjrekar said. "He has the ability to rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage."Bangar echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that Pandya's IPL performances should not overshadow his contributions to the Indian team. He pointed out Pandya's impressive record in all three formats of the game, including Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is."Pandya's record in World Cup cricket is exceptional," Bangar said. "He has given fantastic performances whenever he has played for India."Bangar acknowledged that Pandya had faced some challenges due to injuries, but he expressed confidence that the all-rounder would regain his form and contribute significantly to the Indian team's success in the T20 World Cup."Pandya's presence improves the balance of the Indian team," Bangar said. "He is a valuable asset, and I am confident that he will deliver for India in the upcoming World Cup."

Punjab Kings Coach Bangar Addresses Challenges Amidst England Players' DeparturePunjab Kings coach Sanjay Bangar has expressed his disappointment over the unexpected departure of key England players for international duty during the crucial phase of IPL 2024. In a press conference after their final league match, Bangar revealed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had initially assured the availability of their players for the entire IPL season, but changes in the tournament's schedule disrupted these plans."The ECB had made it clear that all the players will be available. It is just that it so happens that the tournament got slightly extended, I would say, because of multiple reasons. Everybody was in a similar position but we lost those English players," Bangar stated after Sunday's game.The departure of England players, including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran, has significantly impacted several teams as these players left for the T20I series against Pakistan starting on May 22. For Punjab Kings, this meant losing their captain, Sam Curran, among others, just before crucial matches.With Curran's departure, Jitesh Sharma stepped up as captain for the first time on Sunday. Despite posting a strong total of 214 after electing to bat first, Punjab Kings were defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.Bangar highlighted that the absence of key international players was a significant setback but not the sole reason for their underwhelming season. "For us, even losing Livingstone with a niggle around his knee, the ECB pulling him out. Even KG (Kagiso Rabada) had an infection and he had to go back (to South Africa). Those things coupled together meant that when we came to the last two matches, we were short of players of international pedigree and experience. That hurt us but that is not the sole reason why our season was below par," he explained.The departure of these international stars has left a noticeable gap in several teams, impacting their performance at the crucial juncture of the tournament. Punjab Kings, like many others, have had to navigate these challenges while striving to maintain competitive form.