Zaheer Khan Appointed as Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings have appointed former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach, succeeding Stephen Fleming who had held the position since 2009. The announcement was made on the franchise’s official X account with the message, “Left Arm ‘Taking’ Over! Welcoming Zaheer Khan as the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings.” The change follows CSK’s failure to qualify for the IPL playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Zaheer Khan brings extensive international experience to the role, having played 92 Test matches, 200 One‑Day Internationals and 17 Twenty‑20 Internationals for India. He finished his international career with 610 wickets and was the leading wicket‑taker in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, claiming 21 dismissals in the tournament.

In the Indian Premier League, Zaheer represented three franchises – Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals – accumulating 100 appearances and 102 wickets at an average of 27.27. After retiring from playing in 2017, he joined Mumbai Indians as Director of Cricket Operations ahead of the 2019 season and later took on the role of head of global development for the same franchise.

Prior to his appointment at CSK, Zaheer was named mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2025 IPL season, a position he left before the campaign began. His coaching and administrative experience, combined with his playing pedigree, is expected to guide the five‑time IPL champions as they aim to return to the playoffs.

The appointment marks a significant shift for Chennai Super Kings, who have sought to revitalize their coaching setup after a period of underperformance. Zaheer Khan’s tenure will begin with the upcoming IPL season, where the team will look to leverage his expertise to improve their on‑field results.