CSK’s new head coach Zaheer Khan: Replacing Fleming a huge responsibility and big shoes to fill in

Former India fast bowler was appointed CSK’s head coach for a year-long contract earlier this week, succeeding Fleming who was at the helm for 16 years.

Updated : Sep 25, 2026 17:55 IST , CHENNAI - 4 MINS READ

FILE PHOTO: Zaheer Khan was Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor till IPL 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI

Coaching Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will bring a huge responsibility and replacing Stephen Fleming will be a big shoe to fill in, new head coach Zaheer Khan in his first appearance after joining the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion on Friday.

Former India fast bowler was appointed CSK’s head coach for a year-long contract earlier this week, succeeding Fleming who was at the helm for 16 years.

Zaheer was previously with the Mumbai Indians as director of cricket operations and later with Lucknow Super Giants as mentor. However, this will be the first time he will don the head coach’s cap.

“Obviously, the responsibilities are going to be greater, it’s going to be a different challenge. But this faith is definitely something which I value a lot and looking forward to just take things in my stride and do my best,” Zaheer said in a video posted by CSK.

Also read | How MS-Dhoni played a role in Zaheer Khan’s appointment as CSK coach

“When you talk about Fleming, it’s about the consistency, it’s about the camaraderie which he’s had with MS. It’s something which has been very special,” the 47-year-old added.

There were several names doing rounds as probable replacements once Fleming left the job after the IPL 2026, but Zaheer’s name wasn’t in that list.

He revealed that his onboarding process was very simple and “in a typical CSK fashion.”

“Obviously, MS (Dhoni) has been a great force with CSK; has been very critical in terms of understanding how the direction of the team should be, the owners and the CEO. So, Rupa (Gurunath) and Mr. Kasi (Viswanathan), they did have a word with me and the conversation was very simple.”

“We want you, if you are available or not, the availability was checked. I said, I would love to be part of it. It would be a privilege and an honour. And from then on, it was just about taking things forward and moving on with the formalities,” Zaheer said.

For Zaheer, CSK is a settled franchise, and a lot of processes are already in place. “So, MS’ guidance, I think, is going to be very crucial. You look at the team management’s vision. That is something which is going to be equally important about how you’re setting the whole vision with regard to going forward from here. It’s a new setup. So, there’s going to be some learnings.”

“You talk about all those. Young captain, how he’s going to shoulder the responsibility, how he’s going to empower himself and the experience in the squad, how you can make them the leaders in their own way as think tank to take things forward for this franchise,” Zaheer said.

The left-arm pacer said that the Super Kings have always been ahead of the curve in terms of understanding the evolution of T20 format and adapting different situations. He added that he would want youngsters to adapt to the technology and keep up with it.

“One thing which I’ve been very vocal about in the modern day cricket, the technology is taking and playing a big role and it’s taking away a whole lot from on-ground thinking, the adaptability, the situational awareness, all those kind of aspects which you talk about.”

“And for youngsters, it’s very important to keep up with that. So for me, it’s about encouraging conversations and learning through those conversations.”

Zaheer said that he would want youngsters to balance technology as well as using your own mind to move forward in the game.

Published on Sep 25, 2026

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