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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach and Zimbabwean cricket legend Andy Flower had admitted that there were definite differences between their IPL 2025 and IPL 2026 campaigns. RCB emerged as champions in both the seasons, but there were some differences.
When Andy Flower was explaining the difference between the two seasons, he mentioned IPL 2024, which was the season when the team was going through a period of change.
RCB head coach explains the difference between IPL 2025 and IPL 2026 campaigns
RCB remains on top in the Indian Premier League as they successfully defended their title under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. Ahead of the IPL 2026 player auction, the franchise kept the core of the squad untouched, retaining most of the players from the 2025 set-up.
Andy Flower noted that the 2024 campaign gave him a reality check. After the first half of the IPL 2024 season, he had clarity on his strategic approach. Because they had clarity, they were able to take some quick steps with added courage.
“Definite differences between the 2025 and 2026 campaigns. But I would also mention the 2024 season, because that was instrumental in establishing our determination to do things a little differently. The very difficult first half of 2024 gave us real clarity about some of the strategic things we wanted to employ, and it gave us, almost through desperation, the courage to take those measures,” said the head coach.
On paper, every department of the team looked well organized ahead of the 2025 season, but there was tension as the team had never claimed a trophy before. Even as the team slowly progressed to the playoffs and then the finals, there was still tension and uncertainty around Royal Challengers Bangalore.
There was tension and uncertainty in 2025
In a close encounter, RCB defeated Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings and won the IPL trophy for the first time since the inception of the franchise league.
“And then we had 2025, where we were walking into a bit of the unknown, because RCB had never won the title before. So, there was a lot of tension and uncertainty around getting to the playoffs and then obviously lifting the trophy,” Flower said.
Felt a little different this year: Andy Flower
After winning the first title, the team’s confidence increased significantly and they got the much-needed traction ahead of the IPL 2026 season which they had been lacking for years. The road to the IPL 2026 final was never easy, but the players and the entire franchise were confident that they could do it again, just like they did last season.
“It feels a little different this year. I think there’s a deeper level of confidence in our team. So, that deeper level of confidence after lifting the trophy last year definitely makes it feel a little different this year. It didn’t make it any easier, but there was definitely a deeper level of confidence going into the playoffs,” he said.
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