Chennai Super Kings are undergoing one of the most significant backroom restructurings in their history as they prepare for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season. Following the mutual parting of ways with long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming in July 2026, two more key members of the support staff – bowling coach Eric Simons and fielding coach James Foster – are leaving the franchise to reunite with Fleming in England’s Test coaching set-up.
Fleming’s Test team will include Simons and Foster, alongside Richard Dawson (elite national spin bowling lead) and Marcus Trescothick. Fleming, who guided CSK to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies during a nearly 18-year association (initially as a player in 2008 before taking over as head coach in 2009), was replaced by former India pacer Zaheer Khan last month. On the other hand, Brendon McCullum continues as white-ball head coach with a largely familiar support staff that includes Sarah Taylor, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, and Kevin Pietersen as specialist mentor. Simons, a former South Africa head coach who was part of Gary Kirsten’s support staff during India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, had worked with Fleming at CSK for eight years.
