RCB has named Mo Bobat, an English cricket administrator, as their Director of Cricket for the upcoming IPL 2024 season, taking over from Mike Hesson. Hesson, the former New Zealand cricketer, and head coach Sanjay Bangar were let go after RCB’s failure to reach the playoffs in the 2023 IPL season.
Bobat has an extensive background with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), where he has held various roles for the past 12 years. Since 2019, he has served as the Performance Director, overseeing the team’s successes in various formats. He will depart from ECB in February 2024 to join RCB full-time.
“I’ve had the most amazing 12 years at the ECB and it’s been both an honour and a privilege to have spent the last four years as Performance Director,” he said in an official statement via ECB. “Supporting our efforts towards multiple Ashes campaigns and World Cups has quite literally been the stuff of dreams.”
“I’ll be forever grateful for all of the opportunities and support that I received over the years and will carry with me many special memories, shared achievements and friendships.”
Prior to this appointment, Bobat had been working with RCB as a consultant. In his new role, he will collaborate closely with RCB’s new coach, Andy Flower. The two are known to have a strong working relationship, dating back to their time together at ECB.
The franchise chairman, Prathmesh Mishra, expressed optimism that the new director’s expertise would contribute to a positive transformation in RCB’s performance in the IPL.
“RCB has always focussed on a performance-oriented approach and creating a culture that reflects its ‘playbold’ philosophy,” he said in a statement. “Bobat has already proved what he can do in a similar role with England, and I believe, with the expertise and years of experience, he will guide RCB to newer horizons and excellence.”
Rob Key, the managing director of the England Men’s team, described it as a personally poignant moment but extended his best wishes to Bobat.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates
