Fleming Secures Pune Coaching Gig

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is to coach the new Pune franchise in the Indian Premier League.

Fleming had been in charge of the Chennai Super Kings until their two-year ban for involvement in corruption in the IPL in 2013.

Pune signed Chennai's captain MS Dhoni as their first pick in the player draft on December 15 and, given his close connection with Fleming, it made Fleming a leading contender for the job.

He is to coach the franchise for the next two seasons.

"He [Fleming] has been remarkably successful as a player in the international arena and I firmly believe that his technical knowhow, perseverance and organisation skills will work wonders for our team," Sanjeev Goenka, head of the New Rising group, which owns the Pune franchise, said. Fleming will also be working with leading players, Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin, batsman Ajinkya Rahane, South African batsman Faf du Plessis and Australian skipper Steven Smith at Pune.

Chennai, winners of the IPL in 2010 and 2011, and Rajasthan Royals were both suspended over corruption issues.

Pune and Rajkot are their replacements

The IPL will start on April 9.

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