Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has appointed the former Zimbabwe batter, Andy Flower as head coach of the franchise. The director of cricket (Mike Hesson) and the head coach (Sanjay Bangar) will not be a part of the franchise for their respective roles now. Flower’s tenure will be of three years. Andy Flower was the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for two years (2022-23) in the Indian Premier League IPL.
Andy Flower has already played a few roles in the IPL
Flower has already been associated with different IPL franchises in different roles. Flower used to be the assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for two years (2020-21).
For the last two years, he was with LSG in the IPL. LSG reached the playoffs in both years (2022-23) in his tenure. His term ended this year and the franchise didn’t renew his contract.
LSG has appointed the former Australian head coach, Justin Langer as their head coach for the IPL 2024.
Hesson and Bangar part ways with RCB
With Andy Flower becoming the head coach of the RCB in IPL 2024, the former Director (Mike Hesson) and Head Coach (Sanjay Bangar) will not be a part of the franchise for their respective roles.
New staff for RCB in IPL 2024
The franchise is looking to appoint a new Team Director. And the new Team Director will have its own staff like a new bowling coach, assistant coach, fielding coach, etc.
Andy Flower’s reaction to his appointment
“We have an exciting roster of players to work with, and I recognize and will relish both the amazing opportunity with RCB but also the responsibility that comes with the role. It is a great challenge, and I can’t wait to get started.”, said Flower.
Reunion with Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis will be the captain of the RCB next year. Andy Flower and Faf du Plessis used to work together in the CPL. Now, both will work together as coach-captain duo for RCB in IPL 2024.
Flower also talked about the old coaching staff and the reunion with Faf. “I recognize the work put in by Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, who are two coaches I respect. “I’m particularly excited to be reunited with Faf. We have worked very well together in the past I look forward to forging our partnership and relationship into something bigger and better.” – Flower said in an RCB statement.
RCB looking for redemption
The franchise hasn’t won any title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. In IPL 2023, they missed out on an opportunity to reach the playoffs and finished at No. 6 in the points table.
They would want Andy Flower to change the faith of the franchise. And with his successful coaching career, the team will look to go one step further and wants to win the title.
RCB reached the final a few times but ultimately fell short to win the title. They reached the IPL final in 2016 last time.
Andy Flower’s coaching career
Andy Flower has so much experience coaching the IPL and T20 leagues all around the world. In his tenure, Multan Sultan has won their first-ever title in PSL in 2021. Multan defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the final by 47 runs to win their first-ever title.
Multan also reached the playoffs in PSL 2020 under the coaching of Andy Flower.
Flower led Gulf Giants to their first title
Gulf Giants won their first-ever ILT20 title in the coaching of Gulf Giants. The Giants defeated Desert Vipers to win the inaugural season.
Andy Flower as coach in ‘The Hundred’
Flower has won the title with Trent Rockets in 2022 after beating Manchester Originals in a low-scoring thriller.
England won the T20 WC in his tenure
While he was the coach of the England Team during 2009-14, they won their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup title in 2010.
In this period, England also won both, home and away Ashes in Flower’s tenure.
Other achievements for Andy Flower as head coach/mentor/batting coach
Andy Flower has also won Abu Dhabi T10 League and led St Lucia Kings in the CPL final twice.
He worked with the Australian Cricket Team in the recently concluded Ashes series as a consultant. Australia manage to draw the Ashes 2-2, and retain the ‘Urn’.
He also worked as a batting consultant/ coach, team director, interim team director, etc in his after-playing days.
Andy Flower as player
Andy Flower has played 63 test matches in which he scored 4794 runs at an average of 51.54. In ODIs, he scored 6786 runs at an average of 35.34. He has 16 centuries and 82 half-centuries in international cricket.
Conclusion
So this is the news coming from the RCB franchise. RCB would want Flower’s experience in IPL 2024. He has won so many titles as coach/consultant, etc with different teams.
What do you think? Will RCB win their first-ever title in Andy Flower’s coaching? Comment your predictions below.
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