IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: CSK CEO confirms, 'No Stephen Fleming for IPL auction', Foreign staff to attend via video conference

IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: IPL Auction Video Conferencing: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be without head coach Stephen Fleming and most of their coaching staff for the IPL Auction in Kochi on December 23. CSK CEO has confirmed to InsideSport that the overseas staff will miss out due to Christmas festivities back home. They would however join via video conferencing with BCCI allowing the same. Alongside Fleming, Michael Hussey, Eric Simmons, and newly appointed bowling Dwayne Bravo will all miss the event. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

Anbuden, Vaathi! 💛 pic.twitter.com/ozCNszcsVQ

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 18, 2022

Chennai Super Kings CEO confirmed to InsideSport that their entire support staff will be joining via video conference.

“No, Stephen Fleming won’t be joining us for the auction. None of our foreign staff will be present in Kochi due to Christmas Celebrations. They will join by video conference,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told InsideSport.

Also Read: IPL 2023 Auction: BCCI ALLOWS video-conferencing with foreign staff during IPL Auction after refusing to change Mini-Auction Day, Follow LIVE Updates

IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: CSK CEO confirms ‘No Stephen Fleming for IPL auction’, Foreign staff to attend December 23 Auction via video conference – Follow LIVE Updates

The IPL 2023 Auction will be held on December 23 in Kochi. The BCCI has not budged on the date despite franchises requesting the same, due to Christmas festivities. In return, the Indian board has allowed video conferencing, meaning foreign staff could join in from their respective homes.

The IPL has always allowed phone calls during the bidding process, but the auction in Kochi will be the first time video conferencing is allowed. Thus, many of the foreign staff are likely to give the event a miss, including Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming.

Chennai have largely foreign support staff meaning the likes of Michael Hussey, Eric Simmons and Dwayne Bravo will also be absent. However, CEO Viswanathan will be ably assisted by Fleming virtually during the auction process. Previously, Lakshmipathy Balaji has been a staple at the table. However, the ex-India pacer was replaced by Bravo as the bowling coach.

IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: CSK hit major blow, no foreign staff at IPL Auction

CSK will miss the services of head coach Stephen Fleming at the IPL Auction on December 23.
Batting coach Michael Hussey, assistant coach Eric Simmons and bowling coach Dwayne Bravo will also miss out.
The staff will join via video conferencing during the IPL Auction.
Due to the Christmas celebration, many teams will miss out on their overseas staff.
SRH, and Delhi Capitals are also among the major teams affected.

Bring it in, Super Kings! 🫂🤟🏻#WhistlePodu #PrideOf2022 pic.twitter.com/R1aWQAy10e

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2022

IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: CSK CEO confirms ‘No Stephen Fleming for IPL auction’, Foreign staff to attend December 23 Auction via video conference – Follow LIVE Updates

Not only CSK but a host of other franchises have also growing overseas influence in their support staff. Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting will be available over call but he won’t be attending the auction in person, InsideSport understands.

Many of the foreign staff are in charge of decision-making. Sunrisers Hyderabad will be the worst hit. SRH are likely to be without its new head coach Brian Lara. Dale Steyn is also unlikely to join.

“Our foreign coaching staff won’t be attending the auction. They will be joining over phone call. I guess it will be the same for many teams. But I don’t think it is a big issue. Yes, it would have been better if the coaches could have joined us at the auction table. But we have to accept if the BCCI has finalised the date,”one of the franchise officials told InsideSport.

IPL 2023 Auction: Foreign influence in the IPL

Mumbai Indians: Mark Boucher (head coach), Kieron Pollard (batting coach), Shane Bond (bowling coach), James Pamment (fielding coach)
Chennai Super Kings: Stephen Fleming (head coach), Michael Hussey (batting coach), Eric Simons (asst coach), Dwayne Bravo (Bowling Coach)
Delhi Capitals: Ricky Ponting (head coach), Shane Watson (asst coach), James Hopes (bowling coach),
Lucknow Super Giants: Andy Flower (head coach), Andy Bichel (bowling coach)
Gujarat Titans: Vikram Solanki (director of cricket), Gary Kirsten (batting coach)
Rajasthan Royals: Kumar Sangakkara head coach), Lasith Malinga (bowling coach), Trevor Penney (asst coach)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mike Hesson (director of cricket), Adam Griffith (bowling coach),
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Brian Lara (head coach), Simon Helmot (asst coach), Muttiah Muralitharan, Dale Steyn (bowling coach),
Punjab Kings: Trevor Bayliss (head coach), Brad Haddin (asst coach), Jonty Rhodes (fielding coach), Julian Wood (consultant), Charl Langveldt (bowling coach)
Kolkata Knight Riders: James Foster (asst coach), Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach)

Franchise owners had requested BCCI to advance the Auction Day due to the unavailability of their foreign coaching staff. However, BCCI brushed off those concerns suggesting ‘logistical problems’. While phone call during the auction is allowed, whether there will be a dedicated video-conferencing facility, it is yet to be decided. A call on the same will be taken at a franchise’s meeting on December 21.