Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for IPL 2027, bringing an end to Stephen Fleming’s long tenure with the franchise.
Zaheer Khan will take charge of CSK ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The former India pacer replaces Fleming, who served as the franchise’s head coach for 16 years and guided the team to five IPL titles.
Zaheer Khan joins CSK ahead of IPL 2027
CSK managing director Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that Zaheer’s appointment was discussed and approved by the franchise’s cricket management and leadership group.
According to Viswanathan, the franchise also considered the views of key figures associated with the team, including MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, before finalising the appointment.
Zaheer has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract and is expected to begin his responsibilities ahead of the IPL 2027 preparations. The IPL retention window is usually held in November, although the official dates for the upcoming season have not yet been confirmed.
Zaheer Khan brings IPL experience to CSK
The appointment marks Zaheer Khan’s first head-coaching role in the IPL. However, he already has considerable experience in franchise cricket.
Zaheer previously worked with Mumbai Indians, where he served in cricket management roles between 2018 and 2022. He was initially appointed Director of Cricket Operations before taking on the role of Global Head of Development.
He later joined Lucknow Super Giants as a mentor, a position he held until September 2025.
As a player, Zaheer represented India for 14 years and was part of the Indian team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He also played 100 IPL matches and finished his IPL career with 102 wickets.
Interestingly, Zaheer played in two IPL finals, in 2010 and 2011, with both matches ending in defeats against Chennai Super Kings.
Zaheer allowed to choose his coaching staff
CSK have not yet confirmed whether the coaching staff from the previous season will remain in their respective roles.
Long-serving members of the setup, including Eric Simmons and Michael Hussey, were part of Fleming’s coaching team. According to Kasi Viswanathan, Zaheer Khan will have the authority to select his own coaching staff.
This could lead to further changes in CSK’s support structure before the 2027 season begins.
Zaheer Khan reacts to CSK appointment
Speaking after his appointment, Zaheer described joining CSK as an honour and highlighted the franchise’s history and passionate fan base at Chepauk.
He also recalled facing CSK during his playing career and said he was looking forward to becoming part of the franchise’s long-standing legacy.
Why CSK turned to Zaheer Khan
CSK have gone through a difficult period in the IPL in recent seasons.
The franchise has failed to reach the playoffs since winning the IPL title in 2023. Their struggles continued in 2025, when CSK finished at the bottom of the league table with six wins and eight defeats.
The franchise subsequently began moving away from its traditional reliance on experienced players and started investing more heavily in younger and less-established talent.
Players such as Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis and Kartik Sharma were brought into the setup, but CSK’s results remained inconsistent.
Fleming eventually stepped down as head coach in July 2026 after CSK finished eighth in the league stage.
Fleming’s 16-year CSK journey comes to an end
Stephen Fleming had been associated with Chennai Super Kings since 2008. He initially joined the franchise as a player before taking over as head coach.
Under Fleming, CSK became one of the most successful teams in IPL history, winning five championships and regularly competing at the top end of the tournament.
His departure therefore marks the end of one of the longest coaching tenures in the IPL.
Zaheer’s role will be limited to IPL
The CSK ownership group also operates teams in other T20 leagues, including the Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.
Fleming had been involved with those teams as well. Albie Morkel has already been announced as the new coach of Joburg Super Kings, while Texas Super Kings are yet to announce their next head coach.
Viswanathan clarified that Zaheer Khan’s new responsibilities will be limited to the Chennai Super Kings IPL team.
With IPL 2027 approaching, Zaheer will now be tasked with building a coaching setup, developing CSK’s bowling resources and helping the franchise return to playoff contention after two difficult seasons.
