Sanjay Bangar

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.