Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower has said that although he has not watched the full two matches between India and South Africa, he did see snippets of Virat Kohli’s batting, who is a crucial
part of the IPL franchise, adding that it was ‘wonderful’ to see the latter bat.
Kohli hammered 102 off 93 deliveries in Raipur on Wednesday, his 53rd ODI century and 84th international hundred, though India went down by four wickets.
This came three days after his 52nd ODI hundred, which he scored in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
“I really enjoyed watching the last couple of ODI games. I have not caught the whole game, but I have watched snippets and it was wonderful to see Virat bat the way he is batting,” Flower said while speaking to The Times of India.
“He (Kohli) isn’t playing as much cricket as he used to, but it was great to see him still display an incredible standard of cricket and the hunger for runs,” Flower added.
Flower also backed his former teammate and India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is facing scrutiny after India’s Test series defeat to South Africa, their second home loss in under a year after New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep.
“I have tremendous respect for Gautam Gambhir. I really enjoyed working with him, and I certainly valued our partnership when he was a mentor, quite a forceful mentor, at Lucknow Super Giants,” Flower said.
“I also enjoyed our interactions when we crossed paths interactions when we crossed paths internationally. I respect him a lot as a player and as a leader. I don’t think all responsibility should be placed on one individual, but I know he has never shirked responsibility,” Flower added.
The RCB head coach emphasised that with India’s deep talent pool, there is no requirement to rely on rank turners at home.
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