TimesofIndia.com at Ahmedabad: IPL Trophies are won on the field, but championship dynasties are built in boardrooms, auction tables and strategy meetings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic back-to-back title triumph is the result of a vision that extends far beyond the playing XI. from Andy Flowerstrategy and long-term planning of Mobobit Dinesh KarthikPlayer management and Malvlan Rangarajan’s talent recognition, a formidable backroom team quietly engineered one of the most successful phases in franchise history. Rajat Patidar-led RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.TimesofIndia.com brings you the people behind RCB’s winning machinery:Andy Flower (Head Coach)
Andy Flower was appointed as the head coach of RCB ahead of IPL 2024. (ANI)
The turnaround for RCB started when they appointed Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024, and in three years, they have won two IPL titles.Andy Flower is perhaps the greatest coach in modern cricket. He has mastered all three formats and his resume is exceptional. He transformed a struggling England team into a world-beating outfit, winning three Ashes (2009, 2010-11 and 2013), England’s first world title in the 2010 T20 World Cup and a historic Test series win in India in 2012, their first in 28 years. Flower later served as a consultant to Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup-winning campaign before guiding Trent Rockets to The Hundred title in 2022 and RCB to their first IPL crown in 2025.RCB captain Rajat Patidar also praised Flower and called him the greatest of all time.“He is one of the best coaches, I think the way he handles the players, not just the players who are playing. I think for him, the players who are not playing and the new players who are playing their first IPL season are equally important. He spent a lot of time with everybody, so, you know, I don’t have words for him, but he has played under the best coach.”Mo Bobat (Director of Cricket)
Mo Bobbit (retd) is the Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bangalore. (PTI)
Mo Bobat arrives at RCB as Director of Cricket ahead of IPL 2024, bringing with him over a decade of experience at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As England Men’s Performance Director, he played a key role in building the talent pipeline that contributed to the country’s ODI and T20 World Cup triumphs, while also helping to revive the Test team led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Bobbitt previously worked with RCB as a consultant.After RCB’s win over GT in Qualifier 1, Bobbitt spoke about the number of match-winners in the team, which ultimately proved crucial.“We’re obviously happy that we had a lot of people contributing to the win. We had a lot of people who stood up both with the bat and the ball. And you need that to go ahead in competitions. We’re not too reliant on one or two players with the bat or one or two balls. And that’s really pleasing,” Bobbitt said.“And if we do that often, and if everyone contributes and plays their part, the results should take care of themselves,” Bobbitt explained of his philosophy.Dinesh Karthik (Mentor and Batting Coach)
In Dinesh Karthik, the young RCB squad members have got an elder brother to guide them. (ANI)
After last year’s IPL, RCB wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma credited Dinesh Karthik for changing his game.“What no one has seen in me till now, we human saw in me. Sub logon na mere mein khamiyaan dhondi, but hum aadmi ni mere mein dato dekhi” (What no one had seen in me, this person saw in me). Everyone else looked for flaws in me, but this man saw my strengths,” Jitesh told TimesofIndia.com.This year, it was Venkatesh Iyer, who worked closely with Karthik behind the scenes when he was not getting game time. When he got his chance, Venkatesh scored an unbeaten 73 while batting at number four in Patidar’s absence due to injury. He has since become a regular in the side.
RCB coaching staff after IPL 2026 title (Image: X)
In Dinesh Karthik, many Indian players found an elder brother figure, which was previously missing in the RCB dressing room.“When you’re a coach, the dynamic is a lot different. I’m more happy to see that I get to make an impact while playing.” Karthik told TimesofIndia.com during ILT20..Malvlan Rangarajan (Spin Bowling Coach, Player Identification Manager and RCB Women’s Head Coach)
Malvlan Rangarajan is the head coach of RCB’s WPL team and scout and spin bowling coach of the men’s team. (Image: X)
If Andy Flower and Mo Bobbit shaped RCB’s vision, Malvlan Rangarajan helped lay its foundations. A former Tamil Nadu off-spinner, Rangarajan has emerged as one of the most respected talent scouts in Indian cricket. As RCB’s head of scouting and fielding coach, he has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing players who fit the franchise’s long-term plans rather than just chasing star names.Known for his keen eye for talent and deep understanding of domestic cricket, Rangarajan has been instrumental in strengthening RCB’s squad depth, ensuring the franchise has a steady pipeline of players ready to step up when needed. His influence extends beyond recruiting, with his work in the fielding department helping to elevate the team’s athletic standards. While the spotlight often falls on marquee players and high-profile coaches, Rangarajan’s behind-the-scenes contributions have been crucial in helping RCB assemble a balanced, resilient squad capable of winning back-to-back IPL titles.Malvlan Rangarajan is also the head coach of the RCB women’s team. He has been at the forefront of the domestic scouting initiative, an approach that explores the Indian cricket landscape at a much deeper level and identifies talent that would otherwise go unnoticed.Omkar Salvi (Bowling Coach)
RCB’s bowling performance has been outstanding in the IPL 2026 campaign. Omkar Salvi is the bowling coach of the team. (ANI)
After winning the title, captain Rajat Patidar praised bowling coach Omkar Salvi for turning around RCB’s attack.“I have known Omkar Salvi sir since I started playing my first Ranji Trophy season,” said Patidar.“Since then, I’ve been watching him closely. He spent a lot of time with each bowler. There was a lot of hard work, I’d say the way Salvi worked with the team, we don’t always see what happens in the meeting room when he’s talking to the players. He spent a lot of time with them individually, and I think that helped every bowler.”
