'Our focus is not on numbers but on decision-making' - RCB Director Mo Bobat on role of data and technology in cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appointed Mo Bobat as their ahead of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He replaced Mike Hesson, who had relinquished the role in 2023. Bobat worked closely with head coach Andy Flower and helped RCB reach the playoffs after a disastrous start to the season.

Bobat, who was part of England's support staff during their wins in the ODI World Cup in 2019 and T20 World Cup in 2022, explained how data is evolving by the day and helping the Bengaluru-based franchise make better decisions.

"We're very fortunate that Bangalore is an academic and tech superpower, so it's great to have that on our doorstep. We all know that data is becoming central to sport, especially cricket, which is already data-rich. What we're trying to do with data is not just focus on numbers but on decision-making. If we can make data-informed decisions, that's really useful. A phrase I often use is 'data on tap, not data on top.' Data should drive what we do, but intuition is still important. When we generate questions, we should have data to help inform our judgments and decisions, and that's the way cricket is evolving," Bobat said on the RCB podcast.

Technology plays a huge role, particularly in scouting: Mo Bobat

Bobat, who has a degree in sports science and management from Nottingham Trent University, said that technology plays a major role in helping RCB scout players. While highlighting the importance of data and technology, he also spoke about the need to assess players based on their ability to handle the pressure involved with competing in a tough tournament like the IPL.

"Technology plays a huge role, particularly in scouting. Scouting is just one way we identify players, and we have a great team doing that. But there are other ways too, like artificial intelligence, which can help us spot attributes that might otherwise go unnoticed—things like raw pace in fast bowlers or revolutions on the ball for spinners. When we find players who are above average in those areas, we have to pay attention," Bobat explained.

"But just as important is understanding the person. To survive and thrive in international cricket, and certainly in the IPL, players need to handle intense scrutiny, pressure, and consequences. It takes a certain type of individual—someone robust—to deal with that. So, it's not just about data and tech, and it's not just about subjectivity either. Finding the right balance is crucial. I think it’s exciting what RCB has done with internet scouting. It has helped us improve in the past, and I believe it will continue to help us moving forward," he added.

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RCB have assembled a strong side, picking some explosive batterss like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Tim David and experienced pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood during the mega-auction last year. They will look to guide RCB to their first IPL title after a long wait of 17 years.