In a major development, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are set to appoint Andy Flower as their head coach, succeeding the tenure of Mike Hesson, who will conclude his role as director of cricket operations on August 31. Along with Hesson, other key members of the RCB support staff, including head coach Sanjay Bangar, are also expected to leave the franchise.

As per a report from Cricbuzz, dated July 18, Andy Flower had been in discussions with multiple franchises, including the Rajasthan Royals. However, it is now confirmed that the Bengaluru-based team has successfully secured his services for the upcoming seasons. There are also indications that the franchise is considering the possibility of having AB de Villiers, who has been instrumental in the team’s success, collaborate with Flower in a mentorship role, though this has not been officially confirmed yet.

Andy Flower recently concluded his association with the Lucknow Super Giants after the culmination of his two-year contract following the IPL 2023. The team owned by Sanjiv Goenka has already enlisted Justin Langer as their replacement.

RCB, owned by the UK-based Diageo company, is known for making well-informed decisions backed by thorough research. The selection of Mike Hesson in 2019 was a result of a meticulous process, and similarly, the team has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Andy Flower, who holds immense respect in the international cricketing arena.

Andy Flower’s expertise extends to several T20 teams worldwide, having been associated with the St. Lucia Zouks in the CPL (2020), Multan Sultans in the PSL (2021), and Gulf Giants in the ILT20 (2023). He also served as a consultant within the coaching staff of the Australian team during the recently concluded Ashes series, being part of the dressing room for the last three Ashes Tests.

Attempts to reach out to Andy Flower, RCB officials, and skipper Faf du Plessis via text messages have remained unanswered so far. However, reports within the Indian Premier League community strongly suggest that the deal with Flower has been finalized. It was previously mentioned that a decision on the coach could not be taken earlier due to the intact contracts of the existing Hesson-led staff.

Mike Hesson’s association with RCB since 2019 has been fruitful, with the team securing playoff berths for three consecutive years. Unfortunately, their quest for a top-four finish in the IPL 2023 was thwarted by Shubman Gill’s exceptional performance in a must-win match.

With Andy Flower’s rich experience and impressive track record, RCB fans can look forward to an exciting and promising journey ahead under his coaching guidance.

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