Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have officially tapped former Indian left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan to take the reins as head coach for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign. This transition marks the end of an 18-year era for the franchise under Stephen Fleming, who served as the primary coaching figure since 2009 before departing to accept a role with England cricket, eventually becoming their men’s Test head coach this past July.
Zaheer brings a wealth of post-playing experience to the role. Since retiring from the IPL in 2017—having represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals—he has taken on various administrative and coaching capacities. He served as the Director of Cricket Operations for Mumbai Indians beginning in 2019 and later functioned as their head of global development. His most recent stint involved a tenure as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2025 IPL season, a position he vacated prior to the following year.
Throughout a distinguished playing career, Zaheer appeared in 100 IPL matches, securing 102 wickets at an average of 27.27. These figures complemented his international success, where he claimed 610 wickets across all formats for India. Managing Director KS Viswanathan praised the appointment, describing Zaheer as a world-class bowler and one of the finest cricketing minds, noting his instrumental role in India’s success during the 2000s and his talent for mentoring young pace bowlers.
Expressing his excitement, Zaheer remarked that joining such a storied franchise is an honor. Having competed against CSK on the pitch, he noted his admiration for the team’s legacy and the unique atmosphere created by the fans at Chepauk. Franchise owner Rupa Gurunath welcomed the move, emphasizing that Zaheer’s decorated playing background and his proven ability to develop young players make him a significant asset. The team expressed confidence that his tactical guidance will bolster the core strength of the franchise as they look toward the 2027 season. The report also notes that he was named Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor for IPL 2025, but exited the franchise ahead of the subsequent season, more recently.
