---
title: "Zaheer Khan Named CSK Head Coach for IPL 2027, Replaces Stephen Fleming"
url: https://whatsthescore.in/blog/zaheer-khan-named-csk-head-coach-for-ipl-2027-replaces-stephen-fleming
author: "Arpan Ghosh"
author_url: https://whatsthescore.in/author/arpan-ghosh
author_title: "Senior Cricket Analyst, Historian & Former Cricketer"
publisher: "What's The Score"
category: "Cricket"
type: news
published: 2026-09-21T18:53:00+05:30
updated: 2026-09-30T07:43:29+05:30
reading_time_minutes: 6
tags: ["Chennai Super Kings", "Chennai Super Kings 2027", "Chepauk", "CSK", "CSK Head Coach", "CSK News", "Indian Premier League", "IPL 2027", "IPL News", "Lucknow Super Giants", "MS Dhoni", "Mumbai Indians", "Stephen Fleming", "Zaheer Khan", "Zaheer Khan Coach"]
license: "Quotation with attribution and a link is permitted. Full reproduction is not."
canonical: https://whatsthescore.in/blog/zaheer-khan-named-csk-head-coach-for-ipl-2027-replaces-stephen-fleming
---

# Zaheer Khan Named CSK Head Coach for IPL 2027, Replaces Stephen Fleming

*Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027. He succeeds Stephen Fleming, who led CSK from 2009 to 2026 and won five IPL titles. Zaheer arrives with extensive international experience and previous IPL management and mentoring roles with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants.*

By Arpan Ghosh · 21 September 2026 · 6 min read

## Key takeaways

- Chennai Super Kings have appointed Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027. Cricbuzz
- Zaheer succeeds Stephen Fleming, CSK's head coach from 2009 through 2026. Cricbuzz
- Fleming's tenure produced five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles, alongside 12 playoff appearances and 10 IPL finals. Rediff
- CSK made the coaching change after missing the playoffs for a third successive season. The Indian Express
- Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is. Cricbuzz
- He took 311 Test wickets and 282 ODI wickets. Cricbuzz
- Zaheer was a key member of India's 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, taking 21 wickets in the tournament. Lucknow Super Giants
- He played exactly 100 IPL matches, taking 102 wickets. Lucknow Super Giants

**Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan
as their new head coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season**,
marking the beginning of a new coaching era at one of the tournament's most successful
franchises.




Zaheer replaces **Stephen Fleming**, whose extraordinary association
with Chennai Super Kings stretched back to the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
Fleming became CSK's head coach in 2009 and remained in the role through 2026.




The appointment gives Zaheer one of the biggest coaching responsibilities in the IPL
as Chennai Super Kings attempt to rebuild following a difficult period in which they
missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.




## Zaheer Khan Becomes CSK Head Coach for IPL 2027




Chennai Super Kings officially confirmed Zaheer Khan's appointment on
**September 21, 2026**.




The former Indian left-arm fast bowler arrives with extensive international playing
experience as well as previous IPL management, mentoring and player-development roles.




Zaheer described joining CSK as an honour and highlighted the franchise's history
and the atmosphere created by supporters at the
**MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai**.




## CSK Head Coach Change: Zaheer Khan Replaces Stephen Fleming





| Detail | Information |
| --- | --- |
| Franchise | Chennai Super Kings |
| New Head Coach | Zaheer Khan |
| Season | IPL 2027 |
| Previous Head Coach | Stephen Fleming |
| Fleming as Head Coach | 2009-2026 |
| IPL Titles Under Fleming | 5 |
| Champions League T20 Titles | 2 |
| Home Ground | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |





## End of the Stephen Fleming Era at Chennai Super Kings




Zaheer's appointment represents one of the biggest structural changes in
Chennai Super Kings history.




Stephen Fleming first joined CSK as a player during the inaugural IPL season in
**2008**. He moved into the head-coaching role the following year
and subsequently developed one of the longest and most successful coaching tenures
in franchise cricket.




Under Fleming, Chennai Super Kings won **five IPL championships**
and **two Champions League T20 titles**.




CSK also reached the IPL playoffs 12 times and appeared in 10 IPL finals during
Fleming's tenure.




## Why Did CSK Change Their Head Coach?




The coaching transition comes after a challenging period for Chennai Super Kings.
The franchise failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs for
**three consecutive seasons**.




CSK and Fleming had already ended their long association before the appointment
of his successor, leaving the franchise with the major task of selecting the coach
who would lead its next phase.




Zaheer Khan has now been entrusted with that responsibility as CSK prepare for
IPL 2027.




## What Zaheer Khan Brings to Chennai Super Kings




Zaheer brings a combination of elite international experience, IPL knowledge,
fast-bowling expertise and experience working with young players.




During his international career for India, Zaheer played
**92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20 internationals**.





| Format | Matches | Wickets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tests | 92 | 311 |
| ODIs | 200 | 282 |
| T20Is | 17 | 17 |
| IPL | 100 | 102 |





## Zaheer Khan's Role in India's 2011 World Cup Triumph




One of the defining chapters of Zaheer Khan's playing career came during
**India's victorious 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign**.




Zaheer finished the tournament with **21 wickets**, playing a crucial
role in India's first ODI World Cup triumph since 1983.




His ability to operate with the new ball, use reverse swing and deliver under
pressure established him as one of India's leading fast bowlers of his generation.




## Zaheer Khan's IPL Experience




Zaheer is also highly familiar with the Indian Premier League.




As a player, he appeared in **100 IPL matches and took 102 wickets**,
representing franchises including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians and
Delhi Daredevils.




His experience in the tournament continued after his playing career through
management, mentoring and player-development positions.




## Zaheer Khan's Mumbai Indians Experience




Before taking charge at CSK, Zaheer gained substantial experience behind the scenes
with **Mumbai Indians**.




He served in senior cricket-management roles including
**Director of Cricket Operations** and later worked in global
player-development responsibilities.




Those positions gave Zaheer experience in areas extending beyond bowling coaching,
including squad planning, talent development and long-term cricket strategy.




## Zaheer Khan's Lucknow Super Giants Role




Zaheer subsequently joined **Lucknow Super Giants** as mentor ahead of
the 2025 IPL season.




His responsibilities included working across scouting, planning and strategy while
also providing his considerable bowling expertise to the franchise.




That experience further strengthened his credentials for a full head-coaching position.




## CSK Back Zaheer's Ability to Develop Young Players




CSK have highlighted Zaheer Khan's experience and his reputation for mentoring
young cricketers as important qualities behind the appointment.




CSK owner **Rupa Gurunath** said Zaheer's distinguished playing career
and ability to nurture young talent would make him a valuable addition to the
franchise's setup.




Managing Director **Kasi Viswanathan** also highlighted Zaheer's
cricketing knowledge and his work mentoring young fast bowlers.




## A Major Challenge Awaits Zaheer at CSK




Zaheer inherits a franchise facing an important transition.




For years, CSK built their success around continuity, experienced players and a
stable leadership structure involving Fleming and senior members of the squad.




The challenge for IPL 2027 will be to retain the principles that made Chennai
successful while simultaneously developing the next generation of the team.




## Could CSK's Fast-Bowling Strategy Change Under Zaheer?




One area likely to attract significant attention will be CSK's approach to
fast-bowling development.




Zaheer's playing career was built around understanding swing, seam movement,
reverse swing, variations and tactical planning against different types of batters.




His extensive work mentoring fast bowlers could therefore become an important part
of Chennai's squad development.




However, the exact composition of CSK's IPL 2027 coaching staff and the tactical
changes Zaheer plans to introduce will become clearer as the franchise moves closer
to the new season.




## MS Dhoni's Role in CSK's Coaching Search




The Indian Express reported that CSK management had given
**MS Dhoni** responsibility in the process of identifying the
franchise's next head coach.




According to the report, Dhoni made a strong case for appointing an Indian coach
rather than another overseas coach to succeed Fleming.




Zaheer's eventual appointment therefore represents not only a change of coach but
also a significant shift from the New Zealand-led coaching era that defined CSK
for well over a decade.




## What Zaheer Khan's Appointment Means for IPL 2027




Zaheer Khan's arrival begins a new chapter for Chennai Super Kings.




Following one of the longest coaching partnerships in IPL history, CSK are moving
from Stephen Fleming to an Indian head coach with extensive experience in
international cricket, IPL management and player development.




The immediate focus will now shift towards squad planning, player retention,
the IPL 2027 auction and the construction of Zaheer's support staff.




For Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2027 will therefore represent more than another season.
It will mark the beginning of the franchise's first post-Fleming coaching era since 2009.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is the new head coach of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2027?

Zaheer Khan has been appointed CSK's head coach for the IPL 2027 season.

### Who did Zaheer Khan replace as CSK head coach?

Zaheer replaces Stephen Fleming, who held the head-coaching position from 2009 through 2026.

### When was Zaheer Khan appointed CSK head coach?

The appointment was announced on September 21, 2026.

### How many IPL titles did CSK win under Stephen Fleming?

CSK won five IPL championships during Fleming's tenure as head coach. They also won two Champions League T20 titles.

### Why did Stephen Fleming leave CSK?

CSK and Fleming ended their long association after a difficult period in which the franchise missed the IPL playoffs for three consecutive seasons.

## Sources

- [Cricbuzz - CSK Name Zaheer Khan as Head Coach for IPL 2027](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/140241/csk-name-zaheer-khan-as-head-coach-for-ipl-2027)
- [Chennai Super Kings - Official Website](https://www.chennaisuperkings.com/)
- [Indian Express - Chennai Super Kings Appoint Zaheer Khan as Head Coach for IPL 2027](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/chennai-super-kings-appoint-zaheer-khan-head-coach-ipl-2027-10887830/)
- [Lucknow Super Giants - Zaheer Khan Joins LSG as Mentor](https://www.lucknowsupergiants.in/news/zaheer-khan-joins-lucknow-super-giants-as-mentor)

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Originally published by What's The Score at https://whatsthescore.in/blog/zaheer-khan-named-csk-head-coach-for-ipl-2027-replaces-stephen-fleming