Even on crutches, legendary cricketer Andy Flower remains a dedicated presence at the fourth edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai. The 57-year-old, who suffered a hip-hamstring injury from a surfing accident in Sri Lanka, is diligently fulfilling his role as a commentator while also wearing his scouting hat for the Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Scouting and Coaching Duties Continue
Andy Flower confirmed he is actively scouting players for RCB during the ILT20 tournament. Speaking on the sidelines of the MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants match at the Dubai International Stadium, the RCB head coach outlined the franchise's robust scouting system. "I am without doubt scouting as well, absolutely," Flower stated. "We have set up a very good scouting system at RCB. Part of that is having guys like me and DK (Dinesh Karthik), who are involved in this tournament, keeping an eye on talent."
Flower, who guided RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2024 after an 18-year wait, expressed his enduring passion for the game. "I love being involved in the game, whether it’s coaching or commentating. I obviously loved my time as a player as well. I feel very privileged to still be part of dressing rooms and be alongside some amazing cricketers," he added. His success extends to the ILT20, where he led the Gulf Giants to the championship in the league's inaugural season.
Praise for Kohli and Defense of Gambhir
Flower is also keeping a close watch on RCB superstar Virat Kohli, who recently smashed consecutive centuries in One-Day Internationals against South Africa. "I really enjoyed watching the last couple of ODI games," Flower remarked. "It was wonderful to see Virat bat the way he is batting. He is not playing as much cricket as he used to, but it was great to see him still display an incredible standard of cricket and the hunger for runs."
The former Zimbabwe captain also came to the defense of India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who has faced scrutiny following India's Test series loss to South Africa. "I have tremendous respect for Gautam Gambhir," Flower asserted. He fondly recalled their partnership when Gambhir was a "forceful mentor" at Lucknow Super Giants. "I respect him a lot as a player and as a leader. I don’t think all responsibility should be placed on one individual, but I know he has never shirked responsibility," Flower emphasized, sharing his perspective from leading a smaller cricketing nation.
Views on Pitch Preparation in India
Drawing from his experience with Zimbabwe, Flower offered a pointed view on pitch conditions for Test matches in India. He noted that extreme turning tracks could neutralize India's advantage. "If pitches turn excessively in India, it brings the two sides closer," he explained. Flower stressed that with India's deep talent pool, such extremes are unnecessary. "I don’t think the pitches need to turn that much for India to win Test matches. They have a very talented team that can take four or five days to win a game. They don’t need extreme pitches."
Despite his injury, Andy Flower continues to be a pivotal figure in the cricketing world, balancing multiple roles with the same strategic acumen he displayed on the field.
