CSK MD Viswanathan confirms Dhoni’s role in Zaheer’s appointment

MS Dhoni was part of the CSK cricket management team that decided to appoint Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027, franchise MD Kasi Viswanathan said. Zaheer replaces Stephen Fleming and will have autonomy over the support staff

New Delhi: Legendary former India captain MS Dhoni was actively involved in the decision to appoint former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the new head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), franchise managing director Kasi Viswanathan said on Monday.

Five-time champions CSK on Monday named 47-year-old Zaheer as their head coach for IPL 2027, filling the high-profile vacancy left by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who parted ways with the franchise after an 18-year association.

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Apart from Dhoni, CSK’s cricket management team included owner Rupa Gurunath and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

“See, basically, the cricket management took this decision. They wanted Mr Zaheer Khan as the head coach based on his experience. He has played over 100 games in IPL and was an all-round player.

“So, they preferred that he will be a good option for them and we abided by what the cricket management wanted. Definitely, he (MS Dhoni) was part of the decision when this was taken. Without his advice, we don’t do anything,” Viswanathan told IANS on Monday.

Asked about Dhoni’s future as a player after he did not play a single game for CSK in IPL 2026 due to fitness issues, Viswanathan said, “See, basically, he continues to be a player for us. That is the only thing I can say.”

Viswanathan also confirmed that Zaheer, a member of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, would have complete autonomy in selecting his backroom staff.

“He will decide on the support staff,” he said.

As of now, CSK’s support staff includes Mike Hussey, Sridharan Sriram, Rajiv Kumar, Eric Simons and James Foster.

Zaheer, who was previously a trainee at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, served as Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development at Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022 before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.

As a left-arm pacer, Zaheer represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, claiming 102 wickets in 100 matches at an average of 27.27.

However, this will be Zaheer’s first stint as head coach of a cricket team. He can focus solely on CSK as he has no other franchise T20 cricket coaching commitments.

Outside coaching and mentoring, Zaheer co-owns Antwerp Anchors in the European T20 Premier League in Belgium, Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League in Sri Lanka and Vancouver Anchors in the Super60 league in Canada.

Asked how long negotiations lasted before Zaheer agreed to join CSK, Viswanathan chose not to disclose details.

“That is the process everybody goes through. Those are all things which we need not tell,” he said.

The search for Fleming’s successor was far from simple, especially with 2027 being the final season of a three-year cycle. It is understood that extensive conversations were held with various candidates after Fleming left CSK to become England men’s Test head coach.

The insistence on an Indian head coach with previous IPL experience, given the familiarity with Indian conditions and local players, as well as Zaheer’s previous association with Dhoni as an India teammate, were factors in his appointment, according to the report.

Notably, CSK’s official statement announcing Zaheer’s appointment did not mention a multi-year deal, indicating that it will initially be a one-year stint.

Zaheer’s immediate task will be to map out the team’s retention strategy and identify targeted players ahead of the mini-auction in December.

Having missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, CSK will look to return to the playoffs in the 2027 season before the next mega auction.