Mo Bobat, England Men’s performance director, has been confirmed as the new director of cricket at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and will leave the ECB in February next year.
Bobat, 40, has overseen the England Men’s pathway for the past four years, identifying and developing the players that have helped the team win World Cups in the 50-over and 20-over formats, while reinvigorating their Test fortunes under the captain-coach partnership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
He has been working at the ECB since 2011, initially managing the England Men’s Under-19s programme, before being appointed the ECB’s first Player Identification Lead in 2016.
Bobat has previously worked with RCB on a consultancy basis, and has a long-standing relationship with Andy Flower, RCB’s new head coach, from their years working together at the ECB. Now the pair will be resuming that partnership at the IPL, ahead of the 2024 staging.
“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,” Bobat said. “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.
“I’d like to thank all of my current and former colleagues, and of course all of the players that I’ve been able to enjoy time with. I’d specifically like to thank Rob Key for showing me so much trust over the last 18 months and for enabling my preferred transition towards my new professional challenge.
“When the time comes, I’ll leave with the heaviest of hearts and will take pride in knowing that our international pathway is in great health and filled with outstanding people.”