IPL 2024: Mike Hesson And Sanjay Bangar Sacked, Andy Flower Becomes New RCB Coach

Former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower has become the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will replace Mike Hesson who served as the director of cricket operations at the franchise. Hesson’s stint with RCB will come to an end on August 31.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Hesson’s departure will not be the only high-profile change in RCB’s backroom staff. Apart from the former New Zealand head coach, the remaining members of the staff are also expected to end their association with the franchise. RCB, on Friday (August 4), announced the departure of Hesson and head coach Sanjay Bangar and the appointment of Flower as head coach.

We thank ???? ?????? and ?????? ?????? for their commendable work during the stints as ???????? ?? ??????? ?????????? and ???? ????? of RCB. ?#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB @CoachHesson pic.twitter.com/Np2fLuRdC0

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 4, 2023

Recent reports suggested that Andy Flower was in talks with other franchises too after parting ways with Lucknow Super Giants. However, he has decided to join RCB as his next team. The report further stated that former South Africa and RCB star AB de Villiers could also join the franchise as a mentor ahead of IPL 2024.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome ??? ???? ?? ????? and ??? ????? ??? winning coach ???? ?????? as the ???? ????? of RCB Men’s team. ??

Andy’s experience of coaching IPL & T20 teams around the world, and leading his teams to titles… pic.twitter.com/WsMYGCkcYT

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 4, 2023

Andy Flower gears up for new challenge in IPL:

Andy Flower served as the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants in the last two seasons of the IPL. In both seasons, the Lucknow-based outfit made it to the playoffs but failed to advance to the final. The franchise decided against renewing his two-year contract and has already announced former Australia coach Justin Langer as his replacement.

Andy Flower has ample experience in coaching teams. One of Zimbabwe’s most decorated cricketers, he has been serving as a coach since retiring from the game as a player. He was the England team director when they won the Ashes in 2009 followed by their first T20 World Cup in 2010 before beating Australia again in the Ashes in their own backyard.

In 2011, he also led England to the top of the Test rankings. Apart from IPL, he has coached several T20 teams across the world including the St. Lucia Zouks in the CPL (2020), Multan Sultans in the PSL (2021), and Gulf Giants in the ILT20 (2023). Recently, he served as a consultant for Australia during the Ashes.