RCB’s IPL 2025 Triumph Aided by Operation Sindoor Break, Says Coach Flower

Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower recently shared insights on how a mid-season suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, prompted by Operation Sindoor, proved beneficial for the team. The unexpected break allowed key players, including Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood, to recover from injuries, providing a crucial boost in their journey to securing their first-ever IPL title.

Flower highlighted the significance of the pause, noting that it gave injured players like Patidar, who was nursing a hand injury, and Hazlewood, sidelined by a shoulder issue, much-needed time to heal. This recovery period was pivotal, enabling the team to regain full strength for the critical playoff stages. The coach also commended Patidar’s composed leadership, crediting the captain’s steady approach as a cornerstone of RCB’s success.

The suspension, triggered by escalating India-Pakistan tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, disrupted the IPL schedule in early May. Despite the challenges posed by the break, Flower emphasized its role as a turning point, allowing RCB to regroup and refocus. This strategic advantage culminated in their thrilling six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, marking the end of RCB’s 18-year quest for the coveted trophy.

Star batter Virat Kohli, a long-standing figurehead for RCB, dedicated the triumph to former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, who were present in Ahmedabad to witness the historic moment. Kohli acknowledged their shared pursuit of the title, emphasizing the emotional weight of the victory for the franchise and its loyal fanbase.

Flower’s reflections, as reported by Times of India, underscore how the unforeseen hiatus, while disruptive, ultimately provided RCB with the resilience and readiness needed to clinch their maiden IPL championship.