Anil Kumble’s absence has left a void in set-up: Bangar
PORTOFSPAIN: Batting coach Sanjay Bangar says Anil Kumble’s departure as head coach has definitely left a void in the Indian cricket team set-up even though the players are “coping up” well.
On the eve of the second ODI against the West Indies here, questions related to the Kumble episode were directed at Bangar.
“We are professionals and such things are part and parcel of any organisation where changes happen. The support staff and the players have shown a lot of professionalism in compartmentalising the issues and so far we have coped up really well,” he said.
The 44-year-old former allrounder said the team was focussed on the job at hand.
“Everyone’s contributed towards it and as I said earlier, when you part ways it’s never easy. You need to accept that at times such things are going to happen, have happened in the past. But what is of paramount importance is that Indian cricket should keep moving forward and the performances of the team shouldn’t really be affected in any manner.”
Without a head coach, who also used to double up as the team’s bowling coach, Bangar has his work cut out.
“Yes, Anil was doubling up. There were a lot of positive results under him. We all know that the team enjoyed a lot of success. The void, there is definitely a bit of lacuna but the experience that this team possesses - when you have a Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli, who’ve played close to 700 international games, they’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes and are guiding players.”
Further speaking about the role of the senior players, he said, “It’s not only the coaching staff, the mentoring that they do, there is a wealth of knowledge which the players benefit from.”
Asked what defines the captain-coach relationship, Bangar said, “It’s not only the coach and the captain, it’s also the relationship and trust between the coach and all the players. Basically, it’s a work in progress that requires a lot of time to earn the trust of the players. Once you do that, the job and the responsibilities of the coach become that much more easy. That is something that I’ve learnt to work (with).”