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Profile:
Sanjay Bangar is a genuine all-rounder,
not the usual bits-and pieces player. Batting is his preferred
strength, but it has been medium-pace bowling that has shot him
into the limelight. Bangar claimed five English wickets at
Hyderabad in a three-day match while playing for the Board
President's XI. His bowling on an absolutely lifeless pitch was
good enough to convince the selectors about his character and
ability. Bangar is known on the domestic circuit as the
quintessential team player who does not believe in setting
personal goals.
Bangar made his Test
debut at Mohali against England and was unlucky to suffer an
injury to his hamstring. Braving the injury, he played a fighting
knock of 36, holding the lower order together and helping India
post a big first-innings total that eventually win the Test. He
had a spectacular start to his ODI career, picking up the wicket
of Nasser Hussain with his very second delivery. Bangar is thus
one of the few Indian players to have had a winning start to his
international career in both forms of the game.
Even though he was
brought up in the grind of busy Bombay cricket, it was Railways
that offered him a place eight years ago. Ever since, he has been
an integral part of the Railways team. He played a very crucial
role in guiding Railways to the Ranji Trophy finals in 2001. He
has also played in the Minor Counties circuit in England, which
according to him was a big help.
Bangar's consistent
performances for Railways in the Ranji Trophy ensured that he
represented Central Zone in Duleep Trophy (1996-97 to 1999-00) and
in the Deodhar Trophy (1996-97 to 2000-01). The gritty all-rounder
got national recognition when he was chosen to play for India 'A'
in the Challenger Trophy (1999-00) and also at Abu Dhabi in
November 1999.
This quintessential
team-man is a live-wire on the field, and he has enough tricks up
his sleeve as a medium-pace bowler. Apart from being a sedate
opening batsman, his uncanny ability to get the ball to swing
late, even reverse-swing, makes him an ideal choice for the
much-needed all-rounder for the Indian team. The phrase 'late
developer' might be a much-used cliche applied to him, but
Bangar assuredly has a lot of cricket left in him.
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