For all the talent and resources they have had at their disposal, Royal Challengers Bangalore haven’t yet won the IPL. On Friday, they took an important step towards their next campaign, appointing Andy Flower as their head coach, and doing away with Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar.
The contracts of Hesson, director of cricket operations, and Bangar, the head coach, were due for renewal in September. But they will no longer be a part of the franchise.
RCB head Rajesh Menon met the former Zimbabwe wicket-keeper batter in London to discuss the role before finalizing his appointment.
Flower said he was looking forward to next year’s IPL with his new team, which is led by Faf du Plessis, and with whom Flower has enjoyed working in the past.
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"I am really proud to be joining RCB. 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," said Flower, who coached Lucknow Supergiants in the last two seasons of the IPL.
"I'm particularly excited to be reunited with Faf. 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," said Flower.
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Thanking Bangar and Hesson for their spell at RCB, Prathmesh Mishra, RCB chairman, said: "We would like to thank Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar for their excellent work in the past four seasons culminating in three play-offs. Their professionalism and work ethics have always been held in high regard."
Next up from RCB could be an announcement one way or another about the coach of their women’s team. The contract of head coach Ben Sawyer is also under review.
