Bangar began his career playing in the youth teams of Maharashtra and Mumbai, but at state level he made his name representing Railways with his medium-pace bowling and sound defensive batting technique.

Bangar's performances had caught the eyes of the selectors and he was called up to the Indian squad for their matches against England in the 2001–02 season.

On the 2002 tour of England, he was promoted to open the innings at Headingley after some poor performances by Wasim Jaffer.

He responded with his most important innings for India, making a patient 68 on the first day in an invaluable partnership with Rahul Dravid in difficult swinging and seaming conditions.

In January 2014, Bangar was named assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab ahead of IPL 2014.

He went on to Coach Kings XI Punjab for three years until he had to give up his role to comply with the BCCI's conflict of interest rules.

[8] In August 2014, he was named batting coach of India after an embarrassing Test series defeat to England.

[9] He was named head coach of India national cricket team for Zimbabwe tour in June 2016.

[18] In February 2021, Bangar was appointed as a Consultant for Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2021 Indian Premier League where they finished third in the table and qualified for Play offs.