Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final to win back-to-back trophies. (AP)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: IPL Trophies are won on the field, but championship dynasties are built in the boardrooms, auction tables and strategy meetings.Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s historic back-to-back title wins are the result of an approach that extends far beyond the playing XI. From andy flowersStrategic efficiency and long term planning of Mo Bobat Dinesh KarthikRecognizing the talent of player management and Mallolan Rangarajan, a powerful backroom team quietly built one of the most successful phases in the franchise’s history. Rajat Patidar-led RCB defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.TimesofIndia.com brings to you the people behind RCB’s winning machinery:Andy Flower (head coach)

Andy Flower was appointed head coach of RCB ahead of IPL 2024. (ANI)

The turnaround for RCB started when they appointed Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024 and he has led them to two IPL titles in three years.Andy Flower is perhaps the greatest coach of modern cricket. He has mastered all three formats and has an extraordinary resume. He transformed a struggling England team into a world-beating team, overseeing three Ashes wins (2009, 2010–11 and 2013), England’s first global title at the 2010 T20 World Cup, and a historic Test series win in India in 2012, their first in 28 years. Flower later served as a consultant to Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup-winning campaign before leading Trent Rockets to The Hundred title in 2022 and RCB to their first IPL title in 2025.RCB captain Rajat Patidar also praised Flower, calling him the greatest of all time.“I think he is one of the best coaches, the way he handles players, not just the players who are playing. I think for him the players who are not playing and the new players who are playing their first IPL season are equally important. He spent a lot of time with each individual. So, you know, I don’t have words for him, but he is the best coach I have played with.”Mo Bobat (cricket director)

Mo Bobat (R) is the director of cricket at Royal Challengers Bangalore. (PTI)

Mo Bobat arrived at RCB as Director of Cricket ahead of IPL 2024, and brings with him over a decade of experience at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As England Men’s Performance Director, he played a key role in building the talent pipeline that contributed to the country’s ODI and T20 World Cup triumphs, while also helping to revitalize the Test team under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Bobat previously worked with RCB as a consultant.After RCB’s win over GT in Qualifier 1, Bobat talked about the number of match-winners in the team, which ultimately proved to be crucial.Bobat had said, “We are obviously happy that we had a number of people who contributed to the win. We had a number of people who stood up with both bat and ball. And you need that to go far in competitions. We are not dependent on one or two players with the bat or one or two players with the ball. And that is a really pleasing thing.”“And if we do this often enough, and if everyone contributes and fulfills their roles, the results should take care of themselves,” Bobt explained his philosophy.Dinesh Karthik (mentor and batting coach)

In Dinesh Karthik, the young members of the RCB team have got an elder brother to guide them. (ANI)

After last year’s IPL, RCB wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma credited Dinesh Karthik for the change in his game.“That man saw in me what no one has ever seen in me. Everyone looked for flaws in me, but that man saw the goodness in me.” Everyone else used to find faults in me, but that man saw my strengths),” Jitesh had told TimesofIndia.com.This year, it was Venkatesh Iyer who worked closely with Karthik behind the scenes when he was not getting game time. When he got the opportunity, Venkatesh scored unbeaten 73 runs while batting at number four in the absence of Patidar due to concussion. From then on, he became a regular in the team.

RCB coaching staff after IPL 2026 title. (Image: X)

In Dinesh Karthik, many Indian players got the elder brother figure who was missing in the RCB dressing room earlier.“When you’re a coach, the dynamics are very different. I’m very happy to see that I have an opportunity to impact someone while I’m playing.” Karthik told TimesofIndia.com during ILT20.Malolan Rangarajan (Spin bowling coach, Player Identification Manager and RCB Women’s head coach)

Malolan Rangarajan is the head coach of RCB’s WPL team and the scout and spin bowling coach of the men’s team. (Image: X)

If Andy Flower and Mo Bobt shaped RCB’s approach, Mallolan Rangarajan helped build its foundation. Former Tamil Nadu off-spinner, Rangarajan has emerged as one of the most respected talent scouts in Indian cricket. As RCB’s head of scouting and fielding coach, he has played a key role in identifying and nurturing players who fit into the franchise’s long-term plans rather than simply chasing star names.Known for his keen eye on talent and deep understanding of domestic cricket, Rangarajan has been instrumental in strengthening RCB’s squad depth, ensuring that the franchise has a steady pipeline of players ready to step in when required. His influence extended beyond recruiting, with his work in the fielding department helping to raise the team’s athletic standards. While the spotlight is often on marquee players and high-profile coaches, Rangarajan’s contributions behind the scenes have been crucial in helping RCB build a balanced, flexible team capable of winning back-to-back IPL titles.Malolan Rangarajan is also the head coach of the RCB women’s team. He has been at the forefront of the Hinterland Scouting initiative, a methodology that explores the Indian cricket landscape at a much deeper level and identifies talent that might otherwise go unnoticed.Omkar Salvi (bowling coach)

RCB’s bowling performance in the IPL 2026 campaign was excellent. Omkar Salvi is the bowling coach of the team. (ANI)

After winning the title, captain Rajat Patidar praised bowling coach Omkar Salvi for revamping RCB’s attack.“I have known Omkar Salvi sir since I started playing my first Ranji Trophy season,” Patidar said.

“Since then, I have been watching him closely. He spent a lot of time with every bowler. I would say there was a lot of hard work in the way Salvi sir worked with the team. We can’t always see what’s happening in the meeting room when he is talking to the players. He spent a lot of time with them individually and I think that really helped every bowler.”