Andy Flower takes over as head coach at Royal Challengers Bangalore
The contracts of Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, director of cricket operations and head coach respectively, have not been renewed
ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Aug-2023 • 29 mins ago
Andy Flower joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as their new head coach • RCB
Royal Challengers Bangalore have appointed Andy Flower as their new head coach, after deciding against renewing the contracts of director of cricket operations Mike Hesson and head coach Sanjay Bangar following a sixth-place finish in IPL 2023.
Flower was the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants for the last two seasons in the IPL and was replaced by Justin Langer in the second week of July.
ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier in July that the RCB management was deliberating changes to its coaching staff, with the contracts usually up for renewal around September.
We are beyond thrilled to welcome and winning coach as the of RCB Men's team.
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 4, 2023
Andy's experience of coaching IPL & T20 teams around the world, and leading his teams to titles… pic.twitter.com/WsMYGCkcYT
We thank and for their commendable work during the stints as and of RCB. #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB @CoachHesson pic.twitter.com/Np2fLuRdC0
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 4, 2023
"RCB have an unrivalled fan following and I can't wait to fully experience the atmosphere in the Chinnaswamy next season," Flower said in a statement. "I recognise 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.
"I'm particularly excited to be reunited with Faf [du Plessis, the captain]. We have worked very well together in the past and I look forward to forging our partnership and relationship into something bigger and better.
"We have an exciting roster of players to work with, and I recognise 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."
Hesson joined RCB in August 2019 following a revamp of the coaching staff after their last-place finish that season, while Bangar started his tenure ahead of the 2022 edition after Simon Katich parted ways with the franchise.
Under Hesson, RCB finished fourth in the league in 2020 before losing the Eliminator to Sunrisers Hyderabad; in 2021, they were third in the league phase and lost the Eliminator to Kolkata Knight Riders; and they were fourth again in the IPL 2022 league stage, then they won the Eliminator, but lost Qualifier 2 to Rajasthan Royals. The 2023 season was a poor one, where they finished sixth among ten teams.
RCB have reached the IPL final thrice in 16 seasons so far, but are yet to win the trophy.
More to follow...