Fleming retained for 3 more years

As a first step in building a new match-winning Chennai Super Kings team, Chennai Super Kings have signed Fleming as coach for 3 more years. So we are sure to see Dhoni-Fleming Combo for  a few more years. Nice to see Fleming's commitment to the team. 

The team have also retained the support of Tommy Simsek, Gregory King and Steve Rickson. 

Now it is time for Fleming & Co. to pick the right team in the auction. 

Fleming donning Coach Hat

We all knew that Fleming took up the role of the coach of Chennai Super Kings for the cancelled Champions League. Now VB has confirmed that Fleming would continue to be the coach for the upcoming IPL season too. Chandrasekhar has also confirmed that Fleming would not play which means Chennai Super Kings still has the option to buy 4 more foreign international players.

News Source: Official Website

Fleming to Coach CSK @ Champions League

With the end of Kepler Wessels' one year tenure with Chennai Super Kings, there was a huge speculation about the next coach for Chennai Super Kings. Especially since there is less than 30 Days for the start of Champions League Tournament.  Cricinfo reports that this issue might have been resolved and Fleming is likely to take over as the coach of Chennai Super Kings.

Though Fleming might have deceived us with his batting during the first season of IPL, I am sure about his ability as a coach for CSK. Even during the run up to IPL, I have repeated again and again that Fleming's value to the team lies in his understanding of the game and his strategic thinking. Now CSK Management has done the right thing by finding the right job for his abilities. Now I have no doubt that Fleming-Dhoni combo would scale new heights for Chennai Super Kings.

Fleming Out

So Stephen Fleming will not be available for the rest of the tournament leaving due to personal reasons (birth of his child) as per reports. This will be a bit of a blow - losing our accomplished, experienced opening batsman on the eve of the semifinals. At the same time he hadn't really set the world on fire as yet but I for one was banking on him to come good.

So what are our options now ? Do we go for a replacement foreign player as we can ? However I do think it will be too much to get a newcomer in at this late stage and ask him to gel with the team. We have the option of going in with either Vidyut or Aniruddh of course, but I for one would be interested in Chamara Kapugedara.

I know he didn't quite impress in whatever chances he got but I have seen him play for Sri Lanka and when he gets going, he can be a class player.

What are your thoughts ? How do we go about this problem ? How do we replace Fleming ? Looking forward to hearing from you guys.