ECB’s Bobat to hitch RCB in IPL as director of cricket after 12 years in England set-up
Mo Bobat, England Males’s efficiency director, has been confirmed as the brand new director of cricket at Royal Challengers Bangalore within the IPL, and can go away the ECB in February subsequent 12 months.
Bobat, 40, has overseen the England Males’s pathway for the previous 4 years, figuring out and creating the gamers which have helped the group win World Cups within the 50-over and 20-over codecs, whereas reinvigorating their Take a look at fortunes beneath the captain-coach partnership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
He has been working on the ECB since 2011, initially managing the England Males’s Below-19s programme, earlier than being appointed the ECB’s first Participant Identification Lead in 2016.
Bobat has beforehand labored with RCB on a consultancy foundation, and has a long-standing relationship with Andy Flower, RCB’s new head coach, from their years working collectively on the ECB. Now the pair can be resuming that partnership on the IPL, forward of the 2024 staging.
“I’ve had probably the most wonderful 12 years on the ECB and it has been each an honour and a privilege to have spent the final 4 years as Efficiency Director,” Bobat stated. “Supporting our efforts in direction of a number of Ashes campaigns and World Cups has fairly actually been the stuff of goals.
“I will be endlessly grateful for all the alternatives and assist that I acquired through the years and can carry with me many particular reminiscences, shared achievements and friendships.
“I would wish to thank all of my present and former colleagues, and naturally all the gamers that I have been capable of take pleasure in time with. I would particularly wish to thank Rob Key for exhibiting me a lot belief during the last 18 months and for enabling my most well-liked transition in direction of my new skilled problem.
“When the time comes, I am going to go away with the heaviest of hearts and can take pleasure in realizing that our worldwide pathway is in nice well being and full of excellent folks.”
Key, England Males’s managing director, described the information as “bittersweet”, and acknowledged that he would miss working with a key ally within the ECB’s back-room group.
“It is a bittersweet second for me personally as a result of whereas I’m delighted that Mo has been given an unbelievable alternative, it marks the top of most likely probably the most pleasant partnership of any profession I’ve had.
“After I first arrived on the ECB 18 months in the past, Mo was the guiding hand that allowed me to get my toes beneath the desk and to get on with my function. I’ve completely little question I’d have drowned with out his assist and experience.
“His 12 years on the ECB ought to be an inspiration for a lot of and exhibits what may be achieved in case you by no means surrender and maintain believing in your self.
“All anybody ever needs is to have an effect in no matter they do, and Mo can look again and see that he is not solely impacted English cricket however impacted England cricketers. I want him all the very best.”
Bobat’s appointment completes a totally abroad back-room workers at RCB, alongside Flower, Adam Griffith (bowling), Freddie Wilde (analyst), and Evan Speechly (physio).
Prathmesh Mishra, RCB’s chairman, stated that he appeared ahead to seeing how Bobat’s England affect would translate to RCB’s taking part in fashion. RCB completed sixth in IPL 2023 and made the playoffs in three seasons earlier than that (2020 to 2022) however are nonetheless chasing their maiden IPL title.
“RCB has at all times focussed on a performance-oriented method and making a tradition that displays its ‘playbold’ philosophy,” he stated. “Bobat has already proved what he can do in an identical function with England, and I consider, with the experience and years of expertise, he’ll information RCB to newer horizons and excellence.”
