“He Would not Like…”: CSK CEO Reveals Chat With Stephen Fleming Over India Coach Job

KS Viswanathan, the CEO of Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK), mentioned they’ve all the time revered the selections taken by the legendary MS Dhoni and that the choice on his future within the franchise has been left to him, which they anticipate will come at an applicable time. The way forward for Dhoni, 42, as a CSK participant has been a subject of immense hypothesis after CSK did not enter the IPL 2024 playoffs following a 27-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in its must-win remaining league match, to complete in fifth place within the factors desk. “I have no idea. It’s a query solely MS (Dhoni) can reply. Now we have all the time revered the selections taken by MS. Now we have left it to him and as all of you recognize he has all the time taken his selections and introduced them on the applicable time,” the CSK boss mentioned.

“We do anticipate that we’ll get a call as and when he decides. However we’re very hopeful he’ll be out there for CSK subsequent 12 months. That’s the view and expectation of the followers and mine,” mentioned Viswanathan in a video posted by the franchise on YouTube.

He additionally felt CSK’s long-serving head coach, former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, will not apply for the India males’s head coach job, whose deadline for functions is Could 27. “Really I bought quite a lot of calls from the Indian journalists inquiring whether or not he’s serious about taking a job with the Indian crew.”

“So I jokingly requested him, ‘Have you ever utilized for the Indian teaching project?’ And Stephen simply laughed and mentioned, ‘Would you like me to?’ I do know that it is not going to be his cup of tea as a result of he does not prefer to be concerned for 9 to 10 months in a 12 months. That is my feeling. I’ve not mentioned something extra with him,” he added.

Simply forward of the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni handed over the management duties to opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, shocking many onlookers. Viswanathan revealed how the CSK administration had mentioned the management handover from Dhoni to Gaikwad.

“The discussions we had with the crew administration from earlier than a few years in the past when Ruturaj got here into the CSK and began performing nicely, we felt that he could be a sensible choice to captain the facet. Each Flem (Fleming) and MS (Dhoni) had lengthy discussions with him, that they had plans to make him as a future captain.”

“His performances, and in addition the way in which he approached the sport, and his ideas every time he spoke with MS in addition to Fleming… each of them felt that he’ll be a superb captain at CSK. And we weren’t disillusioned; he led the facet comfortably. The seniors additionally helped him. It has not affected his efficiency with the bat. He has continued to be a really constant performer,” he famous.

Viswanathan noticed that Gaikwad wasn’t affected by management duties and expressed gratitude to CSK followers for accepting the change within the facet’s management.

“The stress of captaincy has not affected him. We sit up for his contribution to CSK sooner or later. The stress is simply too excessive as a result of he is following the footsteps of MS Dhoni.”

“No one can match him, however MS had the boldness that Rutu (Gaikwad) has it in him to do an excellent job. The acceptance from the gang actually helped him for positive, that’s for positive. As a result of if there’s stress from the gang, you possibly can think about what occurred to different captains,” he mentioned.

“I feel CSK followers accepted what MS Dhoni had given to Ruturaj as captain as a result of he (Dhoni) had chosen him. The crew administration selected him because the captain. And all of you recognize, by no means has the administration of CSK interfered with the cricketing issues.”

“So, that helped Rutu additionally, as a result of he was very clear that the directions have come from crew administration. He had the duty to ship. I am assured he’ll do very nicely sooner or later years additionally.”

“Positively, the CSK administration, in addition to the followers, have helped the CSK crew to do very nicely. That’s essential as a result of there isn’t any interference in creating issues with the crew. They’re left with their job to do.”

“It provides extra duty to the crew. They know now there’s not going to be interference from the administration, which suggests they should ship. They’re professionals; they should ship. That has helped us,” he concluded.