Cricket: Fleming tipped to coach India

Stephen Fleming. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Stephen Fleming as India's next coach? It's a decent chance, according to an Indian newspaper report yesterday, and his successor as New Zealand captain reckons he'd do a good job.

The Telegraph of Kolkata claims Fleming is a strong candidate to replace South African Gary Kirsten, who is expected to finish after the World Cup.

Fleming coached the Chennai Super Kings to win the Indian Premier League last year and that franchise has close links to India's board secretary, Narayanswamy Srinivasan.

It was news to Dan Vettori last night, but he gave the idea a positive response. "I think he'd be a great coach," he said. "He'd probably be very similar to Gary Kirsten in his methods. That's worked well for India."

The newspaper claimed, "Dhoni ... has an excellent rapport with Fleming [who is] on very good terms with Srinivasan, who'll become the board president this September".

It quoted a "well-placed source" as saying: "Don't be surprised if the cool Fleming is Kirsten's successor. He has a lot going for him."