Hemang Badani no longer in CSK coaching race [Source: AFP, X]The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise is yet to announce its new head coach for next year’s IPL 2027 season. Just last month, the franchise parted ways with Stephen Fleming, thus bringing an end to the former New Zealand skipper’s near two-decade-long association as team’s head coach.It now appears that the primary agenda of the franchise is to search for its next coach, and the top brass of the team has even had talks with multiple interested candidates so far.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan and director Rupa Gurunath will also be consulting with franchise zealot MS Dhoni and current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in determining Fleming’s replacement. Hemang Badani, Ravi Ashwin no longer in CSK’s coaching contentionAs reported by Cricbuzz, the CSK franchise is actively hunting for its next head coach after the exit of former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.While the franchise is yet to name its next coach, one major hint dropped by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan indicates that the next coach of the team will likely be yet another overseas expert, much like the outbound New Zealander. Also Read- Hardik Pandya To KKR Trade Hinges On 1 Condition Given By MI, Says CSK LegendThis huge revelation pretty much dashed all rumors that indicated that the CSK franchise was considering former Indian player and Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani. Apart from Badani, fellow ex-Indian cricketers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahul Dravid were also reportedly considered for CSK’s coaching gig a few weeks ago.Kasi Viswanathan said “We have not started applying our minds on this. First, we will have a coach. We have got calls from many interested candidates. We will sit and finalise.”Stephen Fleming likely helping McCullum secure CSK jobBoth former New Zealand captains Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum were sacked as head coaches last month by the CSK franchise and England Test team respectively. Several rumors indicated that it was McCullum who helped Fleming bag the England Test coaching job. However, the former CSK coach will only be able to join the England Test team later this year. The same report also indicates that Fleming is now helping McCullum to secure a seat in CSK’s coaching management. However, there is little-to-no substance in backing those unverified claims.CSK’s coach hunting takes front seat over Hardik Pandya dealThe report further states that the franchise will only nab Hardik Pandya, if the senior all-rounder would still be available by the time they select their next head coach. For weeks, Pandya has been on the radar of CSK as well as Delhi Capitals and KKR franchises. At some point, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals have also been linked to him, thus making it a five-franchise race in acquiring the legendary Indian all-rounder from the Mumbai Indians.With Pandya being one of the most desired cricketers among IPL franchises, CSK’s decision of prioritizing the hunt for a head coach may cost them dearly in the race to sign the star all-rounder.Also Read- Indian Cricketers Taking Drastic Steps For Physical Transformation
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