Dinesh Karthik would be a really good choice as the next coach of CSK: Matthew Hayden

Former Chennai Super Kings opener Matthew Hayden has backed Dinesh Karthik to replace Stephen Fleming as the franchise’s next head coach, believing the former India wicketkeeper’s roots in Tamil Nadu could give him an important advantage.

Fleming ended his long association with CSK earlier this year after taking over as England head coach, leaving the five-time IPL champions in search of a successor. Former England captain Eoin Morgan has emerged as one of the names linked with the vacant spot, but Hayden believes Karthik would also be a strong contender for the role.

“Well, I feel like Dinesh Karthik would be a really good choice for CSK. He’s kind of been under the baton of other world-class coaches, including names like Andy Flower, for example, who have had very successful playing and coaching careers. But as a local Tamil boy, I feel it’s a really important piece,” Hayden said on the Wisden Cricket podcast.

“You don’t have to have it, but especially with Tamil Nadu cricket, I felt CSK has always supported the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. So I feel a local flavor would be the next best step for CSK.”

Karthik also started building his coaching credentials after retiring from international cricket in 2024. He joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as their batting coach and mentor ahead of the 2025 IPL season, working alongside Andy Flower, who was the head coach of the franchise at the time.

The former Australian opener also highlighted the difficulties overseas coaches can face in the league, especially when trying to communicate effectively with younger players who are still at the top level.

“CSK are notorious for picking from a distance. You know, they drive over fish to get to fish. There were very few players who actually came from Tamil Nadu itself. They play everywhere else,” Hayden said.

“But, I mean, our Gujarat side (Titans), it’s full of Tamil boys who we love because they love the game.

Hayden believes having someone with a strong local connection could help the franchise navigate those communication challenges, especially when dealing with players who are just emerging among the senior squad.

“One thing I will say is that it is very difficult to be a foreign coach in the IPL as well. I give a lot of credit to those who do because there are some natural language barriers, especially the not so seasoned fighters and veterans of Indian cricket, but which sides are full,” he said.

“But to have that impact on players at the next level where it’s difficult to communicate at times is a bit frustrating. So to have that local element that can almost be a translator that can go up and down without language barriers, I think that’s a big factor in the IPL.”

CSK enters a transition period after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. The franchise, which won its fifth title in 2023, finished eighth in the points table the following season and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team endured a tough campaign while MS Dhoni did not feature in a single match. With CSK looking to rebuild and chart a new course, naming Fleming’s replacement will be one of the franchise’s most important decisions ahead of next season.

Hayden’s comments come after former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also offered his take on the coaching vacancy, with Eoin Morgan as a possible successor to Fleming.

“I have a feeling Eoin Morgan could come. His name is heavily bandied about. There are certainly early discussions going on. There are two scenarios in this: Eoin Morgan – does he take it this year? Or does someone else build the team in a mini-auction and he takes it later?” Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

05 Sep 2026 14:13 IST