Andy Flower talks on auction dynamics and how senior players’ inputs are crucial to decision making

RCB head coach Andy Flower shed some light on the dynamics associated with an IPL Auction, talking about how working with the potential of existing players in the squad before deciding the retentions and releases is an “enjoyable process.”

Speaking on the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries, Flower said, “It's always a fascinating process, looking ahead towards an auction and the options that are available to you, so it's really an interesting part of coaching and strategizing and trying to maximize the potential that’s already in the squad and then seeing where you can plug any gaps or indeed strengthen any areas, so I’ve really enjoyed the process.”

Flower was announced as the new head coach of RCB ahead of IPL 2024, and the former Zimbabwe cricketer will link up with Mo Bobat, who was named as the new Director of Cricket at the franchise.

Speaking about his relations with Bobat - who he has worked with at ECB - and RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, Flower said, “Obviously working with Mo again it's enjoyable and stimulating and you know I’ve worked quite a bit before in the past as well with Faf du Plessis and I've enjoyed our conversations.”

Flower also emphasized on how inputs from senior players such as Virat Kohli also comes handy before an auction, quipping, “When we start debating the options available and the balance of the side it's always really useful to get player input. Generally that would mean senior input and you know you don't get much more senior in the game than Virat and Faf and Maxi.” 

He continued, “I've just been with Australia so that gave me really good access to Maxwell and obviously Virat is someone who’s creating knowledge we respect greatly so he is certainly included in our discussions so it's always really useful getting information from within the dressing room and within the playing group, they seeing the game slightly different to us, and in many respects they are the experts of the moment.”

The 55-year-old concluded by talking about how the senior players are involved in all the action on the field, and their involvement in the process.

Flower said, “You know when you’ve been coaching a little while it's quite easy to to slip into only seeing it through a coach’s lens, and you aren't actually out there in the middle experiencing what it's like to play against certain players, experiencing the growth of the game and the sort of transformation of the game that we've seen over the last few years and these players are right in the thick of that about so getting their opinions, getting their insights is an important part of our decision making process.”

Ahead of IPL 2024 Auction, RCB have retained 18 players and will have seven slots to fill, including four overseas talents.