Andy Flower: Former Zimbabwe captain named head coach of India Premier League side

By Agencies

Royal Challengers Bangalore named former Zimbabwe player Andy Flower as their head coach for the Indian Premier League season 2024. They decided to part away with Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar after a disappointing 2023 IPL where RCB could not qualify for the playoff stage.

“RCB has an unrivaled fan following and I can’t wait to fully experience the atmosphere in the Chinnaswamy next season,” Flower said in a statement. “I recognize the work put in by Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, who are two coaches I respect, and I look forward to the challenge of taking RCB to new heights.

Mike Hesson joined the franchise in August 2019 after finishing the wooden spoon during the 2018 edition. Sanjay Bangar started his tenure with the franchise before the start of the 2022 edition of IPL after Simon Katich decided to move away.

During the tenure of Mike Hesson, Royal Challengers Bangalore finished fourth during the 2020 edition before losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator. RCB finished third in the league phase during the 2021 edition before losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator after the IPL was moved to UAE.

RCB continued to impress finishing fourth again in the league stage of the 2022 edition. They won the eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants thanks to Rajat Patidar’s brilliant century. RCB lost in a one-sided encounter against Rajasthan Royals in qualifier 2. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s performance in the 2023 edition was a poor one as they finished 6^th in the points table.

Royal Challengers Bangalore made it into the finals of IPL thrice and their dream of winning the IPL title is yet to be achieved.

Andy Flower’s performance as head coach for Lucknow Super Giants 

Andy Flower was appointed as the head coach of the newly appointed team Lucknow Super Giants in 2022. Under his coaching, Lucknow Super Giants reached the playoff stage during the first season finishing 3^rd in the points table before losing to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eliminator.

KL Rahul got injured during the mid-season as Krunal Pandya took over the mantle. Lucknow Super Giants again made it into the playoff stage finishing 3^rd again in league stage. They lost in a one-sided encounter against Mumbai Indians in the eliminator.