The quest to find India's next head coach is gaining momentum. With Rahul Dravid's tenure ending after the T20 World Cup, several big names have been thrown into the hat. Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Gautam Gambhir, and VVS Laxman are all rumored contenders for the coveted position. However, reports suggest that Stephen Fleming, the current Chennai Super Kings coach, tops the BCCI's wishlist. While Fleming might be hesitant to commit to a long-term contract, the board is supposedly looking to leverage MS Dhoni's influence to convince him otherwise.
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Challenges for Fleming, time commitment and franchise conflicts
The BCCI's reported preference for a three-year contract, ending after the 2027 ODI World Cup, might pose a challenge for Fleming. This is a significant commitment compared to the flexibility he currently enjoys with franchise cricket. As the Indian coach, he would be expected to be with the team year-round, impacting his current family time. Further complicating matters are Fleming's existing coaching roles with multiple franchises. He currently manages the Texas Super Kings (USA), Joburg Super Kings (South Africa), and the Southern Brave (England) – all sister teams or leagues connected to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). These additional commitments could create scheduling conflicts with the national team's packed calendar.
Taking on the head coach role for India would require Fleming to sever ties with his current coaching positions. As the IPL's longest-serving coach, this would be a significant step. However, a Hindustan Times report suggests the BCCI believes Fleming is persuadable, and MS Dhoni might convince him to take up the role.
"Fleming hasn't said no. He has expressed his concerns about the tenure of the contract, which is nothing unusual. Even Rahul Dravid wasn't keen in the beginning. He was persuaded. It shouldn't be a surprise if the same thing happens with Fleming. And who better than MS Dhoni to do the job?" the report quoted a BCCI source as saying.
"Opening channels with Dhoni during the IPL was not the right thing to do, but now it may be worth a shot," the report added.
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