Chennai Super Kings’ Stephen Fleming is on BCCI’s radar to replace Duncan Fletcher as the head coach of the Indian team. According to sources, there are other names like Andy Flower, the former England coach whose name is suggested by one of the former Indian captains, is also in the fray. But BCCI won’t mind backing New Zealand based Fleming for his credential as a player and coach.
When Drcricket7 tried to speak to some of the top office bearers of the BCCI who are involved in deciding the next coach, they said that the process of shortlisting the names has already began.
However, they declined to confirm that both Fleming and Flower are in the race. “Fleming and Flower are in the race for sure, but BCCI will reveal more after the IPL gets over on Sunday,” a top BCCI official told Drcricket7.
Sources said that Fleming can emerge as the top choice if only he agrees. A few years ago, Fleming was approached by BCCI when there was uncertainty over Fletcher’s tenure as the head coach.
Source also insisted that Fleming had said no to BCCI then. In the past, he has also declined the job to become the coach of the New Zealand team. Fleming also shares a good rapport with Indian captain MS Dhoni and not many can match his cricketing acumen.
Side by side, BCCI is also not ruling out an Indian coach either. But in all likelihood, an Indian in the capacity of a team director is what the board will be keen to appoint. Meanwhile, the team prefers someone who doesn’t impose his thoughts on them, someone like Fleming and Gary Kirsten. They even don’t an Australian if need be.
