Zaheer Khan named Chennai Super Kings head coach, replaces Fleming
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan takes over as CSK head coach after Stephen Fleming's 18-season stint ends.
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a major change to their coaching staff on Monday, announcing former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach. Zaheer replaces Stephen Fleming, who had been with the team for the last 18 seasons.
Chennai Super Kings, captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, failed to reach the IPL playoffs for a third straight time, after which Fleming had to step down from his role. CSK issued a press release on Monday that included a statement from Zaheer Khan. Zaheer said it was an honour for him to become part of a franchise that is among the most successful teams in IPL history. He added that as a cricketer, he always enjoyed playing against CSK on the field and that the atmosphere created by the super fans at Chepauk is very special. Zaheer said he is excited to work with a franchise with such a great history.
In his 14-year international career, Zaheer Khan took 311 wickets in 92 Test matches for India, and 282 wickets in 200 ODIs. The veteran bowler also played 17 T20 matches for India, taking 17 wickets. Zaheer's IPL record has also been impressive: playing for three different teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, he took 102 wickets in 100 IPL matches over his career.
Zaheer, who played a key role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, now brings his strategic experience and coaching knowledge to Chennai Super Kings. Before serving as mentor with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, he had been Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development at Mumbai Indians.
Earlier this year, Zaheer ran a fast bowling camp for India A, Under-19 and other selected players at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bangalore. He was chosen after CSK spoke to several candidates following Fleming's departure. It is also being said that former CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had sought that the head coach be Indian, given his understanding of Indian conditions and local players.
