RCB aim for first IPL title with 'more balanced' squad

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower says his squad is "more balanced" than previous editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which he hopes will deliver the franchise's first men's title.Flower took charge of RCB in 2023 and they reached the play-offs in 2024 before defeat by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. The former England coach told the BBC Stumped podcast that their recruitment for 2025 shifted from RCB's usual batting-heavy strategy."We retained three players from last year. Instead of going for pace [bowlers], we're going for experience and skill, and if we put together a good tactical game I think we can not only defend but attack wisely at the Chinnaswamy and other grounds," Flower said."We've got some really good balance in our squad, good power in the batting line-up and real skill and experience in the bowling line-up, which is a little bit of a change for RCB. "Usually they prioritise their batting line-up with some big batting stars and we've shifted that to what we think is a more balanced team this year." RCB's bowling attack includes Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood and India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while England batter Phil Salt and all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell are also in the squad.India batter Rajat Patidar has been named as captain in another significant change for the side, and Flower added that Virat Kohli - who led the side between 2013-2021 - remains a key part of the leadership set-up."Rajat has got all that experience to call on from Virat, and Virat's a big supporter of him, so rather than describing it as a shadow, I feel it's a ballast that can support us. "Rajat has been an outstanding batsman for us, particularly last year, but he's done some special things for RCB prior to that. He's very calm, he's very decisive as a leader."Listen to the full interview with Andy Flower on the Stumped podcast on BBC Sounds.

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