IPL 2025: Flower Recognizes 'Shift in Power' Towards Big Hitters but Continues to Support Kohli's Performance
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Synopsis
Ahead of IPL 2025, RCB's coach Andy Flower notes the trend of increasing scores due to modern batters' evolving approach. Despite this, he expresses confidence in Virat Kohli's performance, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of skilled players amid the growing focus on power in cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Andy Flower discusses trends in IPL scoring.
- Virat Kohli remains a key player for RCB.
- RCB's batting strategy emphasizes power.
- Rajat Patidar leads RCB as captain.
- Early matches pose significant challenges for RCB.
Kolkata, March 21 (NationPress) As the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches, RCB's head coach Andy Flower discussed the ongoing trend of elevated scores in the tournament, linking it to the changing physicality and strategies of contemporary batters, yet he remains confident in the abilities of Virat Kohli, the all-time top scorer in IPL history.
The last season highlighted the dominance of batters, with the five highest individual scores in IPL history recorded in 2024.
“Many batters are getting larger and more powerful, recognizing its significance. Still, there’s room in the game for exceptional players like Virat Kohli. He’s a remarkably fit, strong young man, and we need high-quality, intelligent cricketers like him,” Flower stated.
“However, a noticeable shift towards power is evident, as reflected in the scores. This is also apparent in our batting unit's selection, where power takes precedence, with only a few exceptions. I believe that’s the direction the game is heading,” Flower elaborated during a press conference.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will commence their IPL season with an away match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
This match signifies a new chapter for RCB, with Rajat Patidar taking over as captain. Before the match, Flower recognized the challenges ahead, expressed faith in the team’s leadership and balance, and shared insights into the game’s evolving trends.
Regarding their match against KKR, he commented, “They had a fantastic season last year, but this is a new year with new squads. We have had excellent preparation and are pleased with our squad's appearance. We feel ready.”
As Patidar steps into the leadership role, Flower supported the 31-year-old and emphasized the experienced players surrounding him. “We focused on creating an experienced team during recruitment, allowing our seasoned players to support Rajat. He’s genuinely excited about this challenge, and we are fully behind him.”
Flower also pointed out the importance of early matches, especially facing strong opponents in their first two away games. “It’s a significant challenge for us to play against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. It’s a great opportunity to dive into this competition and start strong in these two crucial away games.”
With KKR having a powerful spin attack, Flower acknowledged the threat posed by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. However, RCB boasts a robust batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya.
“Chakaravarthy is in excellent form, and we know Narine’s capabilities after many years. This is why we play at this level—to challenge ourselves against the best globally. This aspect is one of the most thrilling and rewarding parts of competing in either international cricket or IPL cricket, where the standards are comparable to international games, accompanied by the excitement and energy of top-tier cricket in India,” he remarked.
On RCB’s spin bowling lineup, Flower expressed hope regarding the squad's balance. “Krunal was a key target for us in the auction, and we’re thrilled to have him on board. He’s a smart and brave cricketer with leadership experience. His expertise as a left-arm spinner and all-rounder is a significant asset for our team, providing reassurance in our spin department.”
