IPL 2025: RCB Coach Andy Flower Credits ‘Operation Sindoor’ Break for Title Triumph
In a dramatic turn of events, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged as the champions of IPL 2025, and their head coach Andy Flower has openly acknowledged an unexpected ally in their journey to the trophy. Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad after RCB clinched their maiden IPL title, Flower credited the one-week suspension of the tournament due to an emergency dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor‘ on May 9 as a pivotal moment that provided the team with crucial breathing space.
‘Even as we celebrated our victory tonight, a few of our players reminded me how that break turned out to be a blessing in disguise,’ Flower remarked. ‘It allowed key players like Josh Hazlewood, our leading wicket-taker, to complete his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury in Australia. Equally critical was the recovery time it afforded our captain, Rajat Patidar, who was nursing a finger injury. That downtime was instrumental in getting them back to peak form.’
Despite the triumph, Flower was candid about the challenges the team faced. ‘We missed the presence of explosive talents like Tim David and Devdutt Padikkal from our initial squad. They were integral to our early campaign plans,’ he admitted. ‘But for those who believe in destiny, there’s a larger narrative at play here. While the break was for reasons far greater than cricket, it undeniably gave us a chance to regroup when we were struggling to find rhythm in the initial matches.’
Hazlewood, who finished the season as RCB’s top wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 22 wickets in just 12 games, echoed Flower’s sentiments. Speaking to broadcasters post-match, the Australian pacer said, ‘Returning mid-season after the injury was a gamble, but you won’t get a better experience than lifting the IPL trophy. I’m thrilled I made it back in time to contribute to this historic win.’
Patidar, on the other hand, made a stellar comeback, amassing 312 runs in 15 matches at a blazing strike rate of 143.77. Beyond his batting prowess, Flower was full of praise for the debutant captain’s composure under pressure. ‘What’s truly remarkable about Rajat is how he handled the captaincy in his first season as leader,’ Flower noted. ‘Captaining a franchise like RCB, with its passionate fanbase and intense scrutiny, is no easy task. Yet, he remained the same humble, gentle, and polite Rajat Patidar we’ve always known. His batting didn’t suffer, and his decision-making under pressure was exceptional.’
Flower added a personal reflection, ‘When I look back at my own early days as a captain, I know I struggled to balance leadership and performance. Rajat’s calmness while leading a star-studded side filled with big personalities is commendable. He made strategic calls with a maturity beyond his experience, and that deserves immense respect.’
As RCB fans revel in the long-awaited glory of their first IPL title, the story of ‘Operation Sindoor’ will likely be etched in franchise folklore. It was an unforeseen interruption that turned into a game-changer, proving that sometimes, even in the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, a moment of pause can lead to the sweetest of victories. With Andy Flower’s astute guidance, Hazlewood’s fiery bowling, and Patidar’s dual brilliance as batsman and captain, RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph is a testament to resilience, timing, and a touch of fate.