MS Dhoni’s call for a familiar face leads CSK to Zaheer Khan as the new head coach

MS Dhoni’s preference to work with a familiar face at the Chennai Super Kings camp on Monday proved to be the reason why the five-time IPL champions appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the head coach.

Zaheer replaced Stephen Flemingwho was at the helm for 18 seasons and played a vital role in making CSK one of the most successful teams in the world’s biggest T20 league.

“We welcome Zaheer Khan as Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings,” CSK announced on ‘X’.

“It is an honor to be a part of one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL,” Zaheer said in a press release issued by the franchise.

“As a cricketer, I faced CSK on the field and thoroughly enjoyed the competition. The atmosphere created by the Superfans in Chepauk makes it even more special. I can’t wait to join a legacy franchise with such a rich history.”

The soon-to-be 48-year-old Zaheer has played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India. One of the trusted lieutenants in Dhoni’s captaincy era in the Indian team, Zaheer was the top wicket-taker with 21 scalps during the historic 2011 World Cup campaign.

Zaheer mentored Lucknow Super Giants during the 2024 season in his last stint in the IPL. He also worked at Mumbai Indians as their Director of Cricket Operations and later Global Head of Cricket Development before joining the Super Giants.

Fleming announced in July this year that he was parting ways with the five-time champion.

The former New Zealand captain has now taken up the role England head coach in Test cricket.

It is understood that the CSK cricket management committee comprising Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and owner Rupa Gurunath wanted an Indian coach this time.

In the IPL, Zaheer played 100 matches for the likes of Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bengaluru and after retirement took up coaching roles.

“Zaheer’s distinguished playing career and proven ability to nurture young talent make him a valuable addition to our line-up. We are confident that his leadership will help strengthen the core of this franchise,” said Gurunath.

CSK MD Kashi Viswanathan added, “Zaheer is a top class cricketer and has mentored many young cricketers over the years, especially fast cricketers. As a player, Zaheer was one of the key reasons for India’s success in the 2000s. He is one of the best cricketing minds and we look forward to having him in our family.”

If sources close to the CSK team management are to be believed, then Dhoni insisted on having someone he knows.

Unlike some of the names floating around on social media, there was virtually no chance of former England captain Eoin Morgan taking the role.

In the case of Tamil Nadu’s Hemang Badani, his poor show as Delhi Capitals during the two years run by co-owners GMR went against him.

Both years under Badani, DC performed miserably. While Badani as a coach has done well in the ILT20 and The Hundred, the competitions are not even a patchwork of what the IPL is and therefore could not be trusted enough.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

21 Sep 2026 23:51 IST