Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday appointed former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season, ending weeks of speculation after Stephen Fleming’s departure.
Welcoming Zaheer Khan as the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings. He is also the first Indian to hold the top job at the five-time IPL champions. That run ended after CSK missed the playoffs for a third straight season. Zaheer’s arrival marks the first time CSK has opted for an Indian head coach. The decision followed detailed deliberations involving team management and franchise icon MS Dhoni, who pushed for leadership well-versed in domestic circuits and player development. Zaheer brings vast administrative and mentorship pedigree to the Chennai camp. The CSK assignment will be his first official tenure as a head coach in franchise cricket.
The franchise announced the appointment on Monday, September 21, with a social media post that read: “Left Arm ‘Taking’ Over! Zaheer becomes only the third head coach in CSK history, after Kepler Wessels in 2008 and Fleming, who took charge in 2009. Fleming’s 18-year association with CSK – first as a player in 2008, then as head coach from 2009 – is one of the longest and most successful coaching tenures in IPL history. Under him, CSK established one of the most dominant dynasties in franchise cricket, securing five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), two Champions League T20 trophies, and 10 final appearances. The side finished last in IPL 2025 and eighth in IPL 2026 with six wins from 14 matches. Fleming stepped down in July 2026 and has since taken over as England’s Test head coach.
He previously served as Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development for Mumbai Indians before a mentorship stint with Lucknow Super Giants.
