“It’s not his Cup of Tea” – CSK CEO Reveals if CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming Will Become Team India’s Head Coach
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan humorously recounted how he asked Stephen Fleming if he was interested in the Indian coaching job after receiving multiple enquiries from Indian journalists. However, Viswanathan mentioned that a full-time coaching role might not appeal to Fleming, who prefers shorter coaching commitments and is not keen on a nine to ten-month engagement each year.
The BCCI recently advertised for the head coach position, setting May 27 as the application deadline, a day after the IPL 2024 final. With Rahul Dravid’s tenure ending after the T20 World Cup 2024 in June, the board appears inclined towards appointing a foreign coach. Fleming noted for his successful stint with CSK since 2009, is considered a potential candidate.
Viswanathan shared a light-hearted exchange with Fleming, saying, “I got a lot of calls from Indian journalists asking if Stephen is interested in the Indian coaching job. So I jokingly asked Stephen if he had applied, and he laughed and asked if I wanted him to. I don’t think it’s his cup of tea because he doesn’t like being involved for nine to ten months a year. That’s just my feeling; we haven’t discussed it further.”
The BCCI is actively searching for Dravid’s successor, with the new coach’s tenure expected to run until December 31, 2027, covering significant events, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand captain and successful CSK coach, is among the prominent names speculated for the role. Despite his achievements with CSK, Fleming enjoys coaching various franchise teams in short stints. Apart from leading CSK in the IPL, he coaches the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (USA), the Joburg Super Kings in SA20 (South Africa), and the Southern Brave in The Hundred.
19:30 IST
