Following his team’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the tie, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Andy Flower said he did not apply for the position of Indian coach. Flower’s statement comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited applications for the post of head coach of the men’s national team earlier this month, with the term beginning on July 1 this year and ending on December 31 2027, which will be the year, when the next Over 50s Cricket World Cup will take place.
“I did not and would not apply for the position,” Flower said during the postgame press conference. He said franchise cricket will remain his priority.
“I’m happy with my involvement in the franchise league at the moment. I’m really enjoying it. It’s a fascinating thing and I’ve worked with some incredible organizations and I’m happy with it at the moment,” he said.
Flower also spoke about wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik’s future as a player.
Before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), ESPNCricinfo reported that Karthik will play his final season this time and this has been hinted at throughout the season. Although Karthik has not officially announced his retirement from the IPL, Karthik’s tearful hug with Virat Kohli after the defeat and a lap of honor by RCB players suggested that this could indeed be his last season in the cash-rich league.
Karthik is the tenth highest run-getter in the IPL of all time with 4,842 runs at an average of 26.31 and a strike rate of 135.42 in 257 matches. He scored 22 half-centuries, with a best score of 97*. He won an IPL trophy with Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2013.
For RCB in 60 matches, Karthik scored 937 runs at an average of 24.65 in 53 innings, with a strike rate of 162.95 and three half-centuries. His best score is 83. During this season, he scored 326 runs in 13 innings at an average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 187.35, with two half-centuries and best score of 83.
Talking about Karthik, Flower said he hadn’t played much cricket before the tournament but his contributions, in terms of batting and attitude, were special. He also hinted that the veteran could venture into coaching, citing his love for training and helping other players. Flower also said that Karthik might play “a few tournaments” before retiring.
“He hasn’t played much cricket, leading the tournament. What he did for us – in terms of runs and attitude – was really special. I respect him for that. He will be very successful in everything he does. He is already a commentator brilliant. He also likes the idea of coaching – helping and working with other people, which doesn’t surprise me. I also think he might play a few more little tournaments along the way,” Flower said.
Coming to the match, RR won the toss and decided to bowl first. Almost all of RCB’s batsmen got starts but failed to convert them into a big knock. Rajat Patidar (34 off 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes), Virat Kohli (33 off 24 balls, with three fours and one six) and Mahipal Lomror (32 off 17 balls, with two fours and two of six) emerged as the leading run-scorers, taking RCB to 172/8 in their 20 overs.
Avesh Khan (3/44) was RR’s best bowler. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/19) and Trent Boult (1/16) also did a good job in stopping RCB’s run rate.
In the chase, the Royals got off to a good start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 off 30 balls, with eight fours) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (20 off 15 balls, with four boundaries) putting up a 46-run stand. From then onwards, the RCB bowlers applied some pressure on Rajasthan, restricting the run flow and getting a few wickets. RR were restricted to 112/4 in 13.1 overs. However, Riyan Parag (36 from 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes) held one last before being dismissed, while Shimron Hetmyer (26 from 14 balls, with three fours and one six) and Rovman Powell ( 16* in eight balls, with two fours and a six) attacked RCB in the final overs to claim a four-wicket victory with an over left.
Mohammed Siraj (2/33) was RCB’s best bowler.
Ashwin took home the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Now, RR will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second qualifier on May 24 in Chennai to decide who will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final on May 26.
(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
This story originally appeared on ndtv.com read the full story
