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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Andy Flower said he has not applied for the head coaching position of the Indian team after the team lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the knockout round.Flower’s statement comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this month invited applications for the post of head coach of the men’s national team, which will start on July 1 this year and end on December 31, 2027, when the next 50-over Cricket World Cup will be held.
“I have not applied for this job and I will not apply for it,” Flower said in the post-match press conference, saying franchise cricket would remain his priority.
“I’m really happy that I’m involved in the franchise league at the moment. I’m really enjoying it. It’s fascinating stuff, I’ve worked with some great organizations and I’m really happy with it at the moment,” he said.
Flower also revealed the future of wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik.
Before the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) started, ESPNCricinfo had reported that Karthik would play his last season this time around and had been hinting at it throughout the season. While Karthik has not officially announced his retirement from the IPL, Karthik’s tearful hug with Virat Kohli after the loss and the RCB players’ circumambulation of the field indicated that this could indeed be his last season in the cash-rich league.
Karthik is the tenth highest run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League, having scored 4,842 runs in 257 matches at an average of 26.31 and a strike rate of 135.42. He has scored 22 half-centuries, with a highest score of 97*. In 2013, he won the Indian Premier League trophy with Mumbai Indians (MI).
In 60 matches for RCB, Karthik scored 937 runs in 53 innings at an average of 24.65, a strike rate of 162.95 and three half-centuries. His best score was 83. In the current season, he has averaged 36.22, a strike rate of 187.35, 326 runs in 13 innings, two half-centuries and a best score of 83.
Talking about Karthik, Flower said that he had not played a lot of cricket before playing in the tournament, but his contribution with his batting and attitude was very special. He also hinted that the veteran might try his hand at coaching as he loves coaching and helping other players. Flower also said that Karthik might play “a few tournaments” before retiring.
“He hadn’t played a lot of cricket before the tournament. What he did for us – both in terms of runs and attitude – was really special. I respect him. He’s going to have great success in whatever he goes on to do. He’s already a great commentator. He also likes the idea of coaching – helping and working with other people, which doesn’t surprise me. When he does that, he’s going to have great success, too. I also think he’ll probably play a few more small tournaments along the way,” Flower said.
After the match started, RR won the toss and chose to bowl first. Almost every RCB batsman got a chance but none of them could convert their scores into big hits. Rajat Patidar (34 runs from 22 balls, two fours and two sixes), Virat Kohli (33 runs from 24 balls, three fours and one six) and Mahipal Lomror (32 runs from 17 balls, two fours and two sixes) became the top scorers as RCB reached 172/8 in 20 overs.
Avesh Khan (3/44) was the top bowler for RR. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/19) and Trent Boult (1/16) also did a good job in curbing RCB’s scoring rate.
In chasing the score, Royals got off to a good start with Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 off 30 balls, 8 fours) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (20 off 15 balls, 4 boundaries) scoring 46 runs. From then on, Royals bowlers put some pressure on Rajasthan, limiting the score and taking some wickets. Royals were restricted to 112/4 in 13.1 overs. However, Riyan Parag (36 off 26 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) held one end before being bowled out, while Shimron Hetmyer (26 off 14 balls, 3 fours and 1 six) and Rovman Powell (16 off 8 balls, 2 fours and 1 six) launched the Royals attack in the final overs to win by four wickets with one over left.
Mohammad Siraj (2/33) was the top bowler for RCB.
Ashwin won the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
Now, RR will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second qualifier on May 24 in Chennai to decide who will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final on May 26.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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