Is Stephen Fleming frontrunner for Indian cricket team coaching job?

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rising Pune Supergiants Coach Stephen Fleming has emerged as the latest candidate for India’s vacant coaching position. According to our sources in BCCI, the 43-year old is being considered ahead of Rahul Dravid and Tom Moody, because of his experience of dealing with Indian players.

He said, “The advisory committee led by Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar will play a key role in this matter. Actually he was the first Coach we were looking at and we are still sticking by that. However, several other people need to be consulted before we take this decision. What I can confirm is that Fleming is definitely being considered by the management. Even the likes of Tom Moody are being contemplated; it’s too early to say anything actually.”

The new Coach will be offered a 10 month trial contract, instead of a full-fledged role. This particular contract will allow Fleming to coach his IPL franchise, before joining the national team, post May. Our source added, “I would not like to go into the specific details as we haven’t come to that stage, but what I can assure you is that there some big names involved, who have been stalwarts of the game. Fleming has a lot domestic experience with IPL, which might help his case.”

The former New Zealand Captain was appointed Chennai Super Kings Coach in 2009. He led Dhoni and co. to back to back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. In 2016, he signed for the new Pune franchise, after CSK was suspended, due to spot-fixing.

With Rahul Dravid being considered as the front-runner for the coaching role by many former cricketers, Fleming’s inclusion will come as a major surprise.

More to follow...