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Flower cements burgeoning IPL legacy

sacricketmag.com NaN days ago

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful IPL title defence has further enhanced the growing reputation of Zimbabwean head coach Andy Flower.

Indian superstar Virat Kohli may have once again stolen the headlines, but it is the unassuming Flower who has orchestrated RCBโ€™s recent success after more than a decade of failures.

In the process, he is rapidly building a case as one of the most influential and successful coaches in IPL history.

Kohliโ€™s unbeaten 75 from 42 balls guided RCB to a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in Sundayโ€™s final, securing a second successive title for the franchise after finally ending their long wait for silverware in 2025.

But Cape Town-born Flower deserves enormous credit for transforming RCB from perennial underachievers into one of the most consistent and formidable teams in the competition.

The former Zimbabwe captain arrived ahead of the 2024 season and quickly implemented a data-driven approach, clear tactical identity and strong squad culture. The results have been remarkable.

RCB have now won back-to-back IPL crowns under Flower.

The Zimbabwean copped a fine after losing his cool during a dramatic encounter against the Mumbai Indians last month but all will have been forgiven as he led RCB to yet more glory.

 

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His impact extends beyond Bengaluru, having previously guided Lucknow Super Giants to playoff appearances in both of their first two seasons in 2022 and 2023, thus maintaining a perfect IPL playoff record.

He had begun his IPL career as an assistant coach with the Punjab Kings in 2020.

A former international, Flower is Zimbabweโ€™s greatest-ever player and at his peak in late 2021 was ranked the best Test batsman in the world. He transitioned to coaching and led England to the World T20 title in 2010.

Sundayโ€™s triumph sees Flower closing in on the ranks of the most successful coaches in IPL history.

In terms of silverware, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming still leads the way having coached Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles and an extraordinary 10 finals appearances.

Former Sri Lankan star Mahela Jayawardene bagged three championships with Mumbai Indians, and former Australia coach Trevor Bayliss has two triumphs with Kolkata Knight Riders.

But Flowerโ€™s consistent body of work across multiple franchises โ€“ now crowned with consecutive IPL titles โ€“ places him firmly in the conversation of greatest IPL coaches ever.

Photo: IPL/X

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