Former Blackcaps captain Stephen Fleming is more than qualified enough to make the jump to international coaching, after locking away another Indian Premier League title, Devon Conway believes.
A final ball victory over Gujarat Titans gave Fleming's Chennai Super Kings their fifth IPL title, putting the franchise level with Mumbai Indians as the competition's most decorated side.
At the helm of that triumph were the coach-captain super combination of Fleming and India icon MS Dhoni, who have led the side to all their title wins, as well as lifting the now-defunct Champions League in 2010 and 2014.
Since taking charge of Chennai in 2009, Fleming, 50, has quietly become New Zealand's most successful franchise coach.
As well as his time in India, Fleming has also enjoyed stints with Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash League, Southern Brave in England's 'The Hundred' competition and Johannesburg Super Kings in South Africa's SA20 tournament.
Boasting in-depth knowledge of the New Zealand game, Fleming has been a shrewd operator, when it comes to signing players from his own backyard.
Current test captain Tim Southee, former all-rounder Scott Styris (both 2011) and spinner Mitchell Santner (2018, 2021, 2023) have all been part of Chennai's past successes, signed for considerably less money than players from bigger nations.
This year's triumph was the first for current Blackcap Conway, who vindicated Fleming's belief by finishing as the competition's third-highest runscorer, with 672 at an average of 51.69.
Fleming was the only IPL coach interested in buying Conway, when his name came out of the hat at the annual player auction, snapping him up for just NZ$200,000.
That faith was repaid in full, when Conway, 31, was named Man of the Match for a vital 47 runs in the final.
After two seasons under Fleming, Conway believes his coach can take his coaching abilities to another level.
"I think it would be great to see him as an international coach," Conway told Newshub. "I think he's got a lot on his plate as it is, being a coach of different teams in the franchise world.
"He's certainly got a lot of experience, it's great to keep learning from him. We'll have to see what the future holds for him and, obviously, he needs to spend a lot of time with his family too.
"For him, juggling all that would be one to work through, but maybe in the future, it would be great to see him as an international coach."
Fleming has brief experience in the international arena, assisting the Blackcaps in their build-up to the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup, where New Zealand finished runners-up to Australia.
Should Fleming choose to forgo his IPL commitments, he would follow in the footsteps of another former Blackcaps captain - Brendon McCullum - who left Kolkata Knight Riders to become England test coach in 2022.
His combination with Dhoni has repeatedly shown Fleming to be a true players' coach.
Conway explains exactly what makes the former Blackcaps captain so successful as a coach, after more than a decade of success with Chennai.
"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Flem, he's a great guy to work under," he said.
"He's a very calm coach. He's very clear, as well, in terms of what he wants from his players.
"He knows his players really well and he's created a really good culture in India.
"It's great to play under him. He's taught me a lot there in India and I'm keen to keep improving, moving forward with him in the future."
