Gavaskar reacts to Pant's viral 'too many voices' remark with RCB coach Flower comparison: 'Talk is easy and cheap'

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar urged coaches to follow the example of Andy Flower, who has overseen back-to-back titles for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, and avoid a Lucknow Super Giants-like scenario going forward.

RCB and LSG had contrasting runs in the latest season of the IPL that concluded on Sunday. Things went from bad to worse for Lucknow as they not only failed to reach the playoffs under Rishabh Pant's leadership for the second year running, they ended finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time since their debut in 2022.

RCB, who had won their maiden title in 18 years last year, were by far the most consistent team this season, finishing top of the table at the end of the league stage and becoming only the third team in IPL history to successfully defend their title with back-to-back victories over Gujarat Titans –  in Qualifier 1 and the final respectively.

More from Firstcricket

'Cricket has a funny way of biting on the backside'

Pant, who also had an underwhelming season with the bat, had announced his resignation as LSG captain shortly before the RCB vs GT final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. And while he did not directly criticise head coach Justin Langer or any other member of the coaching staff, Pant had complained of "too many voices" making his job as captain all the more complicated.

"Rishabh Pant stepping down as the captain of his team, which finished bottom of the table, is the first change in captaincy for the next season, as there could well be many more before the new season starts next year. He did say on more than one occasion that there were too many voices in his ear and too many thought processes, which is definitely not a compliment to the support staff. Whether that leads to a wholesale change at the franchise will be interesting to see," cricketer-turned-commentator Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

"Talk is easy, and it is cheap too, and making big claims like some coaches have, may make good headlines, but cricket has a funny way of biting on the backside," he continued.

Gavaskar urges other coaches to follow Flower's lead

Gavaskar then urged head coaches and other members of the support staff in the IPL to follow Flower's lead, with legendary Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batter having previously helped England win three Ashes campaigns – including one Down Under – as well as the 2010 T20 World Cup.

"Andy Flower, the coach of RCB, which has now won two back-to-back titles, is a fine example of someone who works quietly, with no big statements that make headlines. And no golfing and beer-drinking buddies as members of his support staff either,” Gavaskar continued.

"Maybe there’s a lesson there. If only those who appoint them could see that, then their teams would not be out of contention even before the first month of the tournament is over," he added.

Besides the England national team and RCB, Flower has also tasted success with other franchises in leagues across the world, including Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League and Trent Rockets in The Hundred.