Andy Flower, Not Virat Kohli, Mastermind Behind RCB's Maiden IPL Title

Andy Flower’s crucial behind-the-scenes role in guiding RCB to the IPL 2025 title is undeniable. The 57-year-old former Zimbabwean captain is considered one of the world’s best cricket coaches, having previously led various teams to victory across different formats.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team has finally won its first Indian Premier League (IPL) title. After a long wait of 17 years, their dream was realised in the 18th season. While the credit for winning this title is being given to Virat Kohli, the star batsman who scored the most runs for the team in the tournament (657 runs), or Josh Hazlewood, who took the most wickets for the team (22 wickets), the main architect of RCB’s championship win is someone else, who played a crucial role behind the scenes.

Head Coach Andy Flower: The Main Architect

In fact, head coach Andy Flower played a crucial role behind the scenes in RCB’s IPL 2025 title victory. The 57-year-old former captain of Zimbabwe is considered one of the world’s best cricket coaches, having led several teams to championship victories in different formats before joining RCB. Let’s take a look at which teams he has led to victory in various tournaments before this.

Teams Whose Fortunes He Changed

England – Ashes Test Series 2009

England – T20 World Cup 2010

England – Ashes Test Series 2010-11

England – Ashes Test Series 2013

Maratha Arabians – Abu Dhabi T20 2019

“𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴”, says Director of Cricket Mo Bobat as he delivers the THANK YOU speech in the dressing room after our trophy winning campaign. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/wvJ8etGVGO

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 4, 2025

Multan Sultans – Pakistan Super League 2021

Trent Rockets – The Hundred Tournament 2022

Gulf Giants – ILT-20 2023

RCB – IPL 2025