Cricket

Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batsman and renowned coach, recently shared his insights on the T20 World Cup and the evolution of cricket in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.Flower, who led Zimbabwe to its first-ever Test victory in 1995, holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with an unbeaten 232. He also guided England to the T20 World Cup triumph in 2010 and to the No. 1 ranking in Tests a year later.Reflecting on the recent T20 World Cup final, Flower praised India's bowling attack, particularly Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. He believes Bumrah's exceptional skills in white-ball cricket set him apart from other fast bowlers.Flower also commented on the ongoing debate surrounding Bumrah's status as the greatest seamer in white-ball cricket, comparing him to the legendary Wasim Akram. While acknowledging Akram's brilliance, Flower suggested that if Akram had played T20 cricket, he would have further enhanced his skills and added greater variety to his bowling.Flower's coaching career has been marked by significant achievements. He guided England to the T20 World Cup victory in 2010, instilling an attacking mindset and encouraging innovation in the team. He also played a pivotal role in England's rise to the No. 1 Test ranking, leading them to three Ashes victories.Flower's success as a coach stems from his deep understanding of the game, his attention to detail, and his ability to connect with players. He has worked with some of the most talented cricketers in the world, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Steve Waugh.When asked about the best batter and bowler he has encountered, Flower named Wasim Akram as the greatest bowler and Sachin Tendulkar as the most respected batter. He praised Tendulkar's exceptional skills, his ability to handle pressure, and his remarkable longevity in the game.Flower's insights into the world of cricket provide valuable lessons for aspiring players and coaches alike. His emphasis on innovation, adaptability, and a strong work ethic serves as a reminder of the qualities that lead to success in the sport.

Former Zimbabwean cricketer and current Royal Challengers Bangalore head coach Andy Flower has expressed his support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to appoint Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.Flower, who worked with Gambhir during their time together at Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), praised Gambhir's strong opinions and clear views on the game. He believes that Gambhir's decisiveness and passion for Indian cricket make him an ideal candidate for the role."He's got strong opinions, he's got strong clear views on the game. He's very decisive, he's a very proud Indian, he loves Indian cricket and his position, representing Indian cricket. I think it's a good appointment and I think he's going to be successful," Flower said on Sony Sports ahead of the third T20I match between India and Zimbabwe.Gambhir, a former India opener, has a successful track record as a player and mentor. He led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and under his mentorship, KKR won their third IPL title in 2024.BCCI president Roger Binny stated that Gambhir's appointment marks a new chapter for Team India. He highlighted Gambhir's experience and leadership qualities as key factors in his selection."Gautam Gambhir's appointment as Team India's new head coach marks a new chapter. His experience and leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to guide the team forward," Binny said.Gambhir was selected over WV Raman, who was also interviewed for the position. Binny emphasized that Gambhir's experience and vision for the team ultimately led to his appointment.

Abhishek Sharma, the young Indian opener, has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe. In the second T20I, Sharma smashed his maiden T20I century, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat in his second appearance for the team.After being dismissed for a duck in the series opener, Sharma showcased his true potential with a blistering knock of 100 runs off just 47 balls. He opened his account with a towering maximum over deep backward square leg and went on to hit seven fours and eight maximums.Sharma's explosive innings helped India level the series 1-1. However, former Zimbabwe batter Andy Flower has cautioned Sharma that his place in the team is not guaranteed, as Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to join the squad for the remaining matches."We have got Jaiswal still coming into the series, haven't we? So that sort of competition is exactly what the Indian selectors and all the Indian followers are looking for," Flower said.Despite the competition, Flower praised Sharma for making the most of his opportunity. "He should be confident at the moment coming off such a great IPL and then getting a hundred in his second international match. So what a great start," he added.Meanwhile, Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube will join the Indian team for the remaining three matches. The trio was part of India's T20 World Cup-winning contingent that recently celebrated their success with fans in India.The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. India will be looking to take the series lead, while Zimbabwe will aim to bounce back and secure a series victory.

India's Next Generation Ready to Shine as Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja Retire from T20IsAfter their T20 World Cup triumph, India is embarking on a new era in the shortest format with a series against Zimbabwe. While several key players have been rested, the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have opened the door for a new generation of Indian cricketers.Andy Flower, former Zimbabwe captain and current RCB head coach, believes that India's domestic structure will ensure a seamless transition. "There are readymade replacements for the guys who've retired," he said. "India will keep producing these greats. There is always someone ready to come in."Flower highlighted several players to watch in the Zimbabwe series, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag. He praised Jaiswal's talent, Gill's intelligence, and Sharma's all-around abilities.Regarding Zimbabwe, Flower emphasized the threat posed by Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani. "Raza is their biggest player, even at 38," he said. "Muzarabani can trouble the Indian batters with his bounce."Flower also shared his thoughts on Kohli's retirement, expressing surprise and admiration for the former Indian captain. "I really enjoyed working with Virat in the IPL last season," he said. "He is a brilliant role model and an outstanding professional sportsperson."Flower acknowledged the growing popularity of the T20 World Cup but cautioned against oversaturation. "I think there's a danger in playing a T20 World Cup every two years... it becomes commonplace," he said. "I like the rarity of a World Cup."Despite the high scores in the IPL, Flower believes that the balance between bat and ball will remain crucial. "The tempo and the power game is going to continue in the IPL," he said. "But in the World Cup, some of the small scores were mainly due to the pitches on offer."

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) season draws to a close, former Zimbabwe captain and renowned wicketkeeper-batter Andy Flower eagerly anticipates the upcoming T20I series between India and Zimbabwe, commencing in Harare on Saturday. Flower, who currently serves as an IPL coach, expressed his keen interest in observing the performance of the young Indian team against Zimbabwe."This second-tier Indian team — and I am not disparaging — is the next best bunch of Indian cricketers," Flower remarked in an interview with The Hindu. "It is going to be fascinating to watch. Because I am an IPL coach at the moment, it is very interesting for me to get up close and personal, watching them play and getting to know some of them."Flower's comments highlight the depth of talent within the Indian cricket system, with the second-tier team representing a formidable force in its own right. The series against Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for these young players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the senior national team.Flower also praised the Indian team that triumphed in the recent T20 World Cup, particularly the performances of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. "I thought the big difference would be Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav," he said. "I was surprised the spinners didn't do better in that match, but Bumrah was outstanding again. He is a different gravy, isn't he? He is a class apart from all the other seamers in world cricket, in the white-ball game."Bumrah's exceptional pace and accuracy have made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world, while Yadav's variations and ability to deceive batsmen have proven invaluable to the Indian team.Flower also commented on the departure of Rahul Dravid as the Indian coach, expressing his admiration for Dravid's contributions to Indian cricket. "He has been on the road for a while as coach and he also worked at the NCA for a number of years and that would have benefited Indian cricket hugely," Flower said. "And he has done an outstanding job with the Indian team. In everything that he has taken on, he has always handled himself with grace, dignity, and integrity."Dravid's tenure as coach was marked by a renewed focus on discipline and professionalism, as well as a commitment to developing young players. His departure leaves a significant void in Indian cricket, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of players.

Following their elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has ruled out applying for the position of India's head coach. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had invited applications for the role, with the tenure starting from July 1, 2022, and concluding on December 31, 2027.Flower emphasized his commitment to franchise cricket, stating, "I am happy with my involvement in the franchise league at the moment. I am really enjoying it. It is fascinating stuff and I have worked with some amazing organizations and I am happy with that at the moment."Regarding wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik's future, Flower hinted at a potential transition into coaching. "He quite likes the idea of coaching as well -- helping and working with other people which I am not surprised about. He will be a great success when he does that as well," Flower said.In the eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), RCB posted 172/8, with Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, and Mahipal Lomror contributing significant runs. However, RR bowlers, led by Avesh Khan, restricted RCB's scoring.In the chase, RR got off to a strong start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler Cadmore, but RCB bowlers applied pressure and picked up wickets. Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell then led RR's charge in the latter stages, securing a four-wicket victory with an over to spare.Mohammed Siraj was the standout bowler for RCB, while Ravichandran Ashwin, who also scored 26 runs, was named 'Player of the Match.' RR will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on May 24, with the winner advancing to the final against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 26.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has emphasized the need for skilled bowlers and power-hitters in the team's future strategy, following their exit from the IPL Eliminator.Flower acknowledged that raw pace alone is insufficient to succeed at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where bowlers with specific plans and skills are required. He highlighted the team's struggles with pace bowlers, none of whom have performed exceptionally well in the tournament."You need skilful, intelligent bowlers and people that can bowl to really specific plans at Chinnaswamy," Flower said. "I don't really want to talk about that stuff yet, but I do think as part answer to your question the Chinnaswamy has some particular qualities that we need to be able to exploit."On the batting front, Flower emphasized the importance of power-hitters who can maintain the tempo of the game. "We have all seen how the power game has affected T20 cricket recently. On the batting front, you certainly need to recruit batsmen with that sort of power that can keep up that sort of tempo," he added.Flower expressed support for the 'Impact Player' rule, which allows two Indian players to participate in a game. He believes it has catalyzed batsmen to play more aggressively. "It has got a few positives about it absolutely. Now there's an extra Indian playing and that's a good thing for Indian cricket. It has catalysed the batsmen," Flower said.Despite Glenn Maxwell's struggles, Flower backed the Australian all-rounder to turn things around. "He's had an amazing couple of years actually. It was a surprise to everyone but I really wish him well. He's going to the World Cup now and I don't see any reason why he can't turn this around or turn his own personal form around in the World Cup for Australia," Flower said.Flower also hinted at the possibility of veteran India player Dinesh Karthik playing his last IPL game. "Possibly. He's been an absolute pleasure to work with this year. He hadn't played a lot of cricket leading into this tournament and what he's done for us, runs wise, attitude wise and contributing to the team in the dressing room and out on the field has been really special and I respect him for it," Flower said.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are poised to kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign on Friday, and star batter Virat Kohli is in prime form, according to the team's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat.Bobat, who has been closely observing Kohli during training, praised the batter's exceptional form. "Virat's in a good place. He's an absolute champion cricketer, and he's at a stage in his career where most of what he does is hardwired into him. He's coming in fresh, which is what we're excited about," Bobat said at a pre-match press conference.Kohli has had a break from cricket and is eager to get involved, Bobat added. "He's had a good bit of time off, he's in a great frame of mind, and he's hitting the ball brilliantly."Bobat, who joined RCB this season along with new head coach Andy Flower, expressed excitement about the team's balanced squad. "We've got a fantastic group of players, we're in good shape, and we're fully fit. We're going to pay most of our attention to how we want to play our cricket," he said.Bobat highlighted the team's strong bowling attack, which includes international and IPL-winning experience. "We've got a lot of international experience and IPL-winning experience. In our Indian quicks, we've got some high-quality players as well, with international and 'A' team experience," he said.The spin department also boasts potential and experience, with players like Himanshu Sharma, Mayank Dagar, and Karn Sharma. "We feel like we've got a really good balanced side. We've got some good all-rounders as well that will contribute. Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green. We're very confident with our bowling attack," Bobat concluded.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Kick Off Pre-Tournament Camp with Andy Flower at the HelmRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have commenced their pre-season preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) with a training camp in New Delhi. The camp, led by new head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat, has seen the participation of domestic players, including skipper Faf du Plessis and West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.Despite the absence of star player Virat Kohli, who is expected to join the squad soon, the camp has been buzzing with excitement. Du Plessis expressed his admiration for Flower, describing him as an "incredible coach" and a "kind and big-hearted man."Flower, in turn, shared his enthusiasm for the new chapter with RCB, emphasizing the privilege and excitement of being part of the franchise. "New chapter to write in RCB story, we have been given the chance to write and it is a privilege, something to be very excited about," he stated.The camp has focused on intense training sessions, with the players working on their skills and fitness under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. The team is gearing up for their IPL campaign opener against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22.With Kohli's return eagerly anticipated, RCB fans are optimistic about a successful season under the guidance of their new coaching setup. The team boasts a strong squad, including the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, and Wanindu Hasaranga, and will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament.