Andy Flower, the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), believes that his team’s extended break has allowed players like Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar to refuel and prepare for the tournament’s final stretch.
On May 3, RCB played their final Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Following a week-long suspension of the tournament, their matchup with the Lucknow Super Giants was postponed. They were scheduled to play the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home on May 17 following the restart. But without a ball being bowled, this match was abandoned. On Friday, May 23, the Bengaluru-based team will play their first game in 20 days when they play Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Andy Flower claimed that after returning home for a short time, Phil Salt overcame his illness and Patidar recovered from a hand injury thanks to the respite.
“That doesn’t really worry us. The players have, in my opinion, played some excellent cricket all season long and have put in a lot of effort in the lead-up to the opening game. Yes, we’re taking a small break right now, but for a few of our athletes, it’s been beneficial. For example, Rajat Patidar has allowed his right hand some time to heal after taking a rather severe knock. He is therefore well enough to bat, which is fantastic,” Flower stated during the news conference prior to the game.
Phil Salt has had a little opportunity to return home because he was ill for some time. Now that his batteries have been replenished, he is fully recovered. Naturally, all of the competitors and our supporters would have preferred the competition to proceed according to schedule, but we had to accept it because of more pressing issues,” he continued.
I regret not being able to play in Bengaluru: Andy Flower
Due to bad weather, RCB’s final home game was moved to Lucknow, forcing them to say goodbye to their home field, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, earlier than planned. The club would have loved to play in front of the home crowd for the final game of the season, but Flower says the players will need to set that aside and concentrate on the current objective.
“Obviously, we are sad that we won’t be attending the game in Bangalore tomorrow, but we also have to accept it. We flew here after training in Bangalore yesterday noon. We will be prepared to go tomorrow after we have another little training session tonight,” he said.
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