After the end of an 18-year partnership with head coach Stephen Fleming, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are on the brink of a major cultural and tactical pivot.
Former India and Tamil Nadu batter Hemang Badani has emerged as the frontrunner to take the helm at the five-time IPL champions with MS Dhoni driving the search and pushing for an Indian-led, CSK-only setup, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Entrusted With Head Coach Search CSK CEO and Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan confirmed to The Indian Express that after Fleming’s departure, the franchise entrusted Dhoni with the responsibility of identifying the next head coach to lead the team’s rebuild. Beyond his recent stint as head coach of Delhi Capitals, Badani has quietly built one of the most decorated track records among Indian coaches in franchise cricket. He has enjoyed championship-winning campaigns across the SA20, ILT20, and Lanka Premier League (LPL), as well as multi-title success in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). With IPL mega-auctions and squad dynamics increasingly decided by uncapped domestic depth, CSK’s management values a coach with deep, grassroots visibility across the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments. Unlike Fleming, who coached multiple global sister franchises (Johannesburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings), Dhoni wants the next head coach focused solely on the IPL setup, domestic scouting, and talent preparation.
