Who BCCI should pick as India head coach after Rahul Dravid comes down to Justin Langer vs Stephen Fleming| Top Vip News

It is one of the most prestigious job profiles in India. It’s no easy task being the head coach of the men’s national cricket team – there’s pressure, constant scrutiny and media attention, potential controversies and the weight of expectations from the sport’s more than a billion fans. But on the other hand, there are rewards, recognition, honor and celebrity status that can intoxicate the best in the business. As the race heats up, we look at the credentials of the two Trans-Tasman rivals who emerge as favorites for the job.

Stephen Fleming: 5 IPL titles and 2 T20 Champions League trophies

Stephen Fleming, former New Zealand captain, has been the head coach of Chennai Super Kings since 2009. He is not only the longest-serving franchise coach in IPL history, but also the most successful. Fleming led CSK to the semi-finals in his first year at the helm in 2009. It was during his tenure that the MS Dhoni-led franchise won its first IPL title beating arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in 2010. It was a double bonanza for the franchise as they beat the Warriors in the T20 Champions League final against the Wanderers in September of that year.

CSK won a hat-trick of titles under Fleming and were crowned champions of the 2011 IPL, where they thrashed RCB in the final at Chepauk. CSK reached three IPL finals in the next four editions under Fleming’s guidance and at the same time won their second Champions League title in 2014, where they beat KKR in the final at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With CSK suspended for two years in 2016 and 2017, Fleming took charge of the Rising Pune Supergiant and guided them to the final in 2017. However, his biggest success was when CSK returned in 2018 and, against all odds and predictions , raised the trophy. for the third time defeating the Sunrisers in the final.

Known for his exceptional people management skills and a high-quality leadership and training programme, Fleming led CSK, labeled and dismissed by many cricket experts as Daddy Army, to their fourth IPL title in 2021, this time conquering Dubai, where they won. KKR in the final. And then, the icing on the cake: CSK created history by winning their fifth IPL title (equaling MI’s record) by beating favorites Gujarat Titans in the 2023 final.

CSK became the most successful franchise in IPL history under Fleming’s leadership. Not only did he win five IPL titles, but he was also a losing finalist on five other occasions, that’s an impressive 10 finals in 14 appearances (Note: Fleming was part of the CSK team when they reached the final in 2008). Fleming’s biggest legacy for CSK: The team as a brand knows how to win the big games and step up their game when it matters most. CSK reached 10 consecutive playoffs between 2008 and 2019, nine of them under the watchful eye and direction of Fleming.

Fleming’s coaching resume also boasts a commendable track record of coaching other T20 franchises around the world. Melbourne Stars reached their first Big Bash League final in 2015-16 with Fleming at the helm. They were also the losing finalists in the 2018-19 edition under him.

With Fleming as coach, the Johannesburg Super Kings reached the semi-finals of the inaugural SA T20 season and also reached the playoffs in 2024. He also made an impression in the United States guiding the Texas Super Kings (another CSK sister company). to the playoffs in the inaugural MLC season in 2023. Fleming is also the head coach of Southern Brave in The Hundred; the team reached the Eliminator last season.

Justin Langer – 2 Ashes trophies and T20 World Cup 2021

Australia were in a major crisis when Justin Langer took over as head coach in the summer of 2018. Not only were they in decline in all formats, they were also hit by the Sandpaper Gate controversy in Cape Town early March of that year. Langer faced a double challenge: he not only had to rebuild the Australian unit into the powerhouse they were in international cricket, but also regain the respect and honor of Baggy Green.

Australia participated in eight Test series during Langer’s tenure and their biggest success was the 4-0 thrashing of England at home in 2021-22, which took English cricket to its lowest point in its recent Test history and in in a way he was responsible for ‘Bazball’! The other notable achievement was the 2-2 draw, which helped Australia retain the Urn in one of the best Ashes series ever played – in England in 2019. However, there were some blemishes too. With Langer at the helm, Australia lost an unprecedented two consecutive test series at home against India.

Australia also had a mix of ODI cricket under Langer. They won 18 and lost 19 matches in this format in this time period. His tenure began with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of England and was followed by two home defeats against South Africa and India. However, Langer avenged early defeats with a sweep against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and series wins in India and South Africa (2020). He also led Australia to the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, where they were defeated by England.

However, their greatest achievement was victory in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2021. Despite being underdogs, Australia showed their big-match temperament and defeated New Zealand in the final in Dubai. In total, they won 20 and lost 23 T20Is with Langer having six series wins and eight losses during this period.

Langer transformed an ailing Australian team back into a global force – that was his greatest legacy at the helm of Australia.

His other great success as a coach was with the Perth Scorchers. The franchise won three titles in four seasons during his tenure in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17, and also finished runners-up in 2012-13. The Scorchers, with five BBL titles in total, are the most successful team in the competition’s history and Langer has played an important role in his journey.