Stephen Fleming to become India's next Head Coach? CSK CEO openly challenges BCCI

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has effectively ruled out Stephen Fleming from becoming Team India's next head coach. 

With the BCCI currently looking for a new head coach to replace Rahul Dravid, Stephen Fleming has emerged as one of the front-runners for the job. Recent media reports stated that the BCCI is interested in appointing the former New Zealand skipper as the head coach of the Indian team.

Also Read: CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan burns Mumbai Indians on captaincy transition in IPL 2024

A report in the Indian Express stated that 'Stephen Fleming’s man-management skills, ability to bring the best out of players by creating a positive environment, and his impressive success rate at Chennai Super Kings' have impressed the BCCI. The report also claimed that informal discussions between the parties have already taken place.

While Stephen Fleming has yet to coach a national team, he is highly respected as a coach for his success in the IPL. He has been the head coach of Chennai Super Kings since 2009 and has guided them to a record five titles. CSK also won the now-defunct Champions League T20 twice with Fleming as the head coach.

Kasi Viswanathan on Stephen Fleming's chances of becoming India's head coach:

While the BCCI is reportedly interested in appointing Stephen Fleming as the head coach, Kasi Viswanathan has said that the New Zealand great is unlikely to take the job. Viswanathan revealed that he had asked Fleming if he was considering the Indian coaching role and the latter said that he prefers shorter coaching stints.

"Actually, I got a lot of calls from the Indian journalists enquiring whether Stephen is interested in taking up a job with the Indian team. So I jocularly asked Stephen, have you applied for the Indian coaching assignment?

"And Stephen just laughed and said, Do you want me to? I know that it's not going to be his cup of tea because he doesn't like to be involved for nine to 10 months in a year. That is my feeling. I have not discussed anything more with him," Viswanathan said in a video posted by CSK.

Apart from Fleming, former India opener Gautam Gambhir and former Australia opener and coach Justin Langer are also linked with the high-profile job. The last date to apply is May 27. The candidates will be then shortlisted and interviewed before the BCCI appoints Dravid's successor.

Dravid's tenure as the head coach will come to an end after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup next month. The former India skipper has been in charge of the team as the head coach since 2021.