Shooting stars - Part I
A shooting star is a meteor that exhibits temporary and sudden brilliance - shows its presence briefly and then disappears. That is an apt metaphor for many international cricketers, who appeared on the scene and took the bull by the horn - albeit for a short period. This series will cover many such cricketers from around the world whose promising careers never really took off. In this first article, I write on former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar.
The year is 2001. After toiling 8 seasons in domestic cricket, Bangar finally gets a national call-up for his all-round capabilities. In his 2nd test - batting at number 7 against Zimbabwe, he scores an unbeaten 100 at Nagpur. While the knock must have given him a lot of confidence, he walked in at 376/5 when India had already taken the lead and the game is against Zimbabwe. Over the next 3 tests, his batting position is moved between 1 to 7, depending on the availability of openers. During India’s tour of England in the summer of 2002 - Bangar travels with the team but isn’t picked for the 1st two test matches.
Of course, the 1st test of the series was at Lord’s and England have already taken the lead over India. While India managed to get a draw from the 2nd test, the team - known to be poor travelers - badly needs a win to have a chance of keeping the series alive. The last time India did that (won a test in England) is 16 years ago back in 1986. The odds are stacked up against the visitors and that’s when Bangar finds out that he will be opening the batting in the 3rd test at Leeds in place of Wasim Jaffer. In addition - Indian captain Sourav Ganguly wins the toss in gloomy grey overcast conditions and decides to bat first. The visitors are up against the odds and one can only imagine how nervous Bangar is probably feeling.
The Maharastra-man walks out with the flamboyant Virender Sehwag and in the 7th over itself, Sehwag is dismissed and in-form Rahul Dravid walks out to bat. Together Bangar and Dravid dig in and bat together for nearly 70 overs. For just under 5 hours Bangar shows incredible application - limiting his shots initially as he respects the moving ball. Young Andrew Flintoff eventually gets the better of Bangar but not before he and Dravid have put together 170 - breaking a 35-year 2nd wicket partnership record at the ground. This amazing effort ensures that Sachin Tendulkar walks into better conditions and a tired bowling line-up. The next day, Tendulkar and skipper Ganguly capitalize on the base set and post hundreds to take India to 628/8 declared.
On Day 4, Bangar also chips in with the ball and picks up two important top-order wickets to help India win by an innings and 46 runs, scripting the first of many famous wins in the decade. After this win, Bangar played in only 6 more tests making 2 fifties and picking up 2 wickets. He also starred in a thrilling run-chase as India chased down 325 at Motera and while this win didn’t become as popular as the Natwest triumph of 2002, he played a superb supporting role and allowed Dravid to play the anchor.
Over the 18 months after this win, Bangar only played in a handful of ODIs and as the runs dried up - so did his prospects with the Indian team. Nonetheless, the solid application in Leeds and quick-fire 50 under the Ahmedabad sky will be proudly etched in the cricket history books as a win for one of the better all-rounders in Indian cricket. However, his contribution to Indian cricket doesn’t end there. In more recent times, Sanjay Bangar has been the batting coach of the Indian cricket team and played an important role in their journey to the #1 team in test cricket.