IPL 2025: 'Apt' To Question RCB's Spin Department, Says Andy Flower

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) do not have a particularly experienced spin department. Yes, they acquired Krunal Pandya at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction for INR 5.75 crore, but with an economy rate of 7.36 and an average of 34.28, he comes across as a defensive bowler.

However, that skill could very well come in handy at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, which is one of the main reasons for picking him. In addition to him, RCB have Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, and the part-time options of Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell. 

As a result, there have been questions over the quality of RCB's spin department and head coach Andy Flower feels it is apt. "It's a really good and apt question to ask," Flower said ahead of RCB's season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens.

"Krunal was a significant part of our targeted players in the auction. He's a smart and courageous cricketer and he's got leadership experience as well. So, having his nous, he's a street-wise operator, and he's obviously got class as a left-arm spinner, let alone as an all-rounder. That is comforting to have in our group and leading the way in the spin department."

Speaking of wrist-spinner Suyash Sharma, who has played 13 IPL matches, Flower asked fans to show some patience and not expect miracles from the youngster right from the beginning.

"On the wristspin front, Suyash is a very exciting young prospect with limited experience but has a really high ceiling. And Mohit Rathee to back him up," Flower said. 

"You know, we are looking for great things from Suyash, but none of us know exactly how he's going to go in a full IPL season. And every young player starts off that way.

"He's rehabbing after a recent groin surgery and that's gone really well. That's been a long-standing injury problem he had, which we identified during the off season. And he's had some really good care and attention from RCB.
We're hoping for great things from him. But we are also not expecting him to be, you know, Shane Warne from the off.

"We've got to be patient and let him learn from his experiences. And it's good that he's got these experienced cricketers around him and a captain he'll be comfortable working with. To back them up, obviously Swapnil Singh was good for us last year. and Liam Livingstone does a bit of everything. Having him as backup on the spin department is quite a nice insurance to have. So we're comfortable with where we are."

While RCB may have an inexperienced spin department, the same cannot be said about the fast bowlers with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi and Rasikh Salam at their disposal.

"I think having influential people in your squad that have performed at the top level, of course, that gives them a level of confidence. You get confidence from the evidence of them succeeding at the top level in the past, and there are a lot of our guys that have done that," Flower said.

"For instance, our bowling attack, we've got Hazlewood, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar] Yash and Krunal, and even Yash has got some good experience now. He's got a pretty calm, good head on his shoulders. So that's four guys that will almost be captaining themselves in terms of tactics and decision-making."

RCB have lost all four previous games against KKR and will hope to end the losing streak on March 22 (Saturday).