World Cup-Winning Captain To Take Over As CSK Head Coach? Ashwin Drops Major Hint

Ashwin drops CSK coaching bombshell: he names Eoin Morgan as a ‘strong’ contender to take the job, while also keeping the door open for MS Dhoni to claim the reins for one year.

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Ravichandran Ashwin and MS Dhoni.

(AFP)

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has offered two possible routes for the coaching transition at the franchise after Stephen Fleming’s mutually agreed departure last month. Ashwin said 2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan is a ‘strong’ contender to replace Fleming, but the possibility of MS Dhoni accepting a caretaker role at the franchise for one year also remained open.

Morgan has no experience of coaching at the highest level, but is renowned as a masterful tactician, who helped turn around England’s ODI fortunes. He also led Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL final as the captain in 2021, where his ability to shape the squad in his uber-aggressive philosophy was widely praised. Currently, he’s serving on the board of directors of the Hundred franchise London Spirit.

“I have a feeling Eoin Morgan might be coming… His name is doing the rounds strongly…; early discussions are on, no doubt. In this, two scenarios: Eoin Morgan- will he take it this year? Or someone else builds the team in a mini auction, and he takes it later?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

The former India spinner spoke about how Brendon McCullum, another name being discussed for the job, might not be possible because of his prior commitments with the England ODI and T20I teams. Ashwin said that while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) seems open to allowing their head coach to work in the IPL, it won’t be straightforward with the 2027 World Cup now just over a year away.

On Morgan, Ashwin claimed that he has been in demand from other franchises, too, but has been turning down offers.

Dhoni to coach CSK?

Dhoni’s presence overrides everything at CSK. As the five-time winning captain, he still holds supreme power and any coaching appointment will have to be ratified by him.

Ashwin said that in such a delicate time, when discussions on trade deals are ongoing, CSK needs someone to take the responsibility, whether it’s Ruturaj Gaikwad snatching the reins or a quickly appointed new head coach.

He argued that these conditions could be perfect for no appointment, i.e., Dhoni informally carrying out the role of leading the team for another year, before someone like Morgan could be appointed ahead of the IPL 2028 mega auction.

“I have a strong hunch that under Dhoni’s leadership, like the shoots of a banyan tree, the others will work together… Personally, that route is the correct one. I still think so. Because the appointment will be a touch late. Because the mega auction is only one year away. … My strongest hunch is that under MS Dhoni’s leadership, like the shoots of a banyan tree, the others will work together. That’s my strongest hunch for at least the next one year,” Ashwin said.

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Original source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/