Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand cricketer and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach, is being touted as the BCCI’s preference to succeed Rahul Dravid, according to Indian Express.
On Monday (May 13), the BCCI began the process of selecting the next head coach for the senior men’s cricket team. The deadline for submitting the application is May 27, the day of the IPL final. According to the report, BCCI officials have already had preliminary discussions with Fleming about the post during the IPL. However, the Kiwi is yet to make a decision on his future, with CSK preparing to extend his contract.
Fleming took over as head coach of CSK in 2009 and has played an important role in the club’s progress. During his tenure, the Chennai franchise has won a record-equaling five IPL titles. Aside from CSK, Fleming has coached the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL), the Johannesburg Super Kings in SA20, and the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. He is also the head coach for Southern Brave in The Hundred.
If Fleming accepts the post, he will have to give up his franchise commitments. The Indian head coach position demands the candidate to be with the team for ten months per year. Furthermore, Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has stated that there will be no split coaching duties, which means Fleming will have to devise plans for all three formats.
“We are looking for a long-term coach for three years,” Shah stated last week. “There is no history of distinct coaches for different formats in Indian cricket. Furthermore, we have a lot of all-format players. Ultimately, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will make the call. “I have to implement whatever they decide,” Shah stated.
Dravid’s contract as head coach of the men’s senior national team will expire after the T20 World Cup. Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer also applied for the position of Dravid’s replacement the day after the BCCI accepted applicants.
Langer is now the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), having previously coached Australia to victory in the T20 World Cup in 2021 and regaining the Ashes twice, in 2019 and 2021.
