Former CSK stalwart Stephen Fleming set to be appointed as Pune head coach

Stephen Fleming was CSK’s coach last season

Indian Premier League’s (IPL) newest franchise Pune, owned by Sanjeev Goenka-backed consortium New Rising, are contemplating appointing Stephen Fleming as their new head coach. Fleming was previously the head coach of the suspended franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

According to sources, the announcement is to be made in days to come.

During Tuesday’s draft Pune also bought Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as their first choice player. The addition of Fleming will see them reunite fin Pune.

Sanjeev Goenka’s brother Harsh Goenka has lauded the inclusion of Fleming and Dhoni in the Pune team. He tweeted about it saying that Pune has forged a formidable team and that the choice to include the two is a winning one.

The Pune franchise bought five players on Tuesday’s first IPL draft. These players are, CSK’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Faf du Plessis, and from Rajasthan Royals they bought two more, Ajinkya Rahane and Steven Smith.

With Fleming as their coach and Dhoni their skipper, CSK has been the most consistent side so far. They have won two IPL titles apart from being runner’s up thrice. Therefore, hopes are high that the duo of Fleming and Dhoni will work wonders for Pune as well and perhaps they can challenge for the IPL title in the coming two seasons.

Stephen Fleming retired from International cricket in 2008 and is the second most capped Test player for New Zealand with 111 test appearances. Fleming is touted to be the most sucessful captain for New Zealand having led the side to 28 victories.

He is also the most capped ODI captain with 218 matches and he also has a record of the most number of catches in Tests in a single calender year. He was one of the most succesful cricketers to emerge from New Zealand. Fleming signed up with the Chennai Super Kings in 2008 and in 2009 he was made their coach.

Fleming, when he was a player, was known for his cleverness as a skipper. His understanding of the game has made him succesful as a coach for the Chennai Super Kings and they have performed consistently in the IPL. It is only to be seen how Pune performs under the guidance of the New Zealander

#IPLDraft Pune with Dhoni as Captain and Fleming as Coach has built a formidable core team. Winning choices made.

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) December 15, 2015