Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have parted ways with Batting Coach Michael Hussey, according to a report by Cricbuzz journalist Vijay Tagore, removing the Australian from the franchise’s coaching roster as part of a wider restructuring ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Hussey has been formally informed of the decision and has been in touch with a few teams, so a place in another IPL dugout next year would not be a surprise. The exit continues a backroom shake-up that has already claimed the franchise’s head coach and bowling coach.
How Hussey’s long CSK association unfolded
Hussey joined CSK as a player in 2008 and, after opting out of the 2009 season, represented the franchise for four consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2013. He spent 2014 with Mumbai Indians before returning to CSK in 2015, completing a six-year playing stint, and he has served as batting coach since 2018, working under Stephen Fleming. The left-hander scored 733 runs in IPL 2013 and was a vital part of the batting in the early years of the tournament. Across his time at the franchise he won two IPL titles as a player and three more as a coach.
Known as Mr. Cricket, Hussey was understood to share a good professional rapport with Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Hussey did not comment on his time at CSK.
The new-look support staff
The overhaul began at the top, with CSK ending the nearly two-decade tenure of Fleming as Head Coach. Under the New Zealander, the franchise won five IPL trophies and two Champions League T20 titles, and reached 12 playoffs and 10 finals. Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has replaced him on a one-year deal, having previously served as Director of Cricket Operations at Mumbai Indians and mentored Lucknow Super Giants.
Bowling Coach Eric Simons has also left, with former CSK pacer Mohit Sharma taking over that role. Both appointments carry the strong imprint of Dhoni, who is playing a significant part in the changes and whose insistence led the franchise to pursue Zaheer. The batting coach role is now vacant, and the decision on Fielding Coach James Foster is pending.
Foster’s future and the open roles
Foster, a former England wicketkeeper-batter, joined CSK last year, and a decision on his extension has been put on hold while the management weighs its options. He has reportedly been informed of the situation and did not respond to a query from Cricbuzz. Final calls on the remaining coaching positions will be taken once franchise Owner Rupa Gurunath returns to India from South Africa, where she was recently present for the SA20 auction, with consultations planned with Zaheer and Dhoni.
The results behind the rebuild
CSK’s recent form explains the appetite for change. After winning the title in 2023, they finished fifth in 2024 with seven wins and seven losses from 14 matches, collecting 14 points. In 2025 they won four and lost 10 to finish 10th with eight points, before ending eighth in 2026 with six wins, eight losses and 12 points. Across the three seasons they played 42 matches, winning 17 and losing 25.
The slump exposed a traditional approach built on seasoned veterans, a stable core and tactical clarity, which struggled against dynamic, power-hitting opposition. Middle-order collapses, inconsistent powerplay bowling and an outdated method in high-scoring games added to the problems, pushing the leadership away from its usual conservatism.
What Dhoni and Zaheer are expected to tackle
Dhoni, now 45, has seen his role evolve from on-field orchestrator to tactical mentor, though his influence over franchise decisions remains as strong as ever. He and Zaheer shared a dressing room during India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph and are said to share a deep mutual understanding and a similar tactical philosophy.
Their agenda starts with squad rejuvenation, as the pair are well placed to lead a rebuild at the upcoming mega auction by finding younger, dynamic power-hitters while grooming Gaikwad. A second priority is modernising the game plan, with aggressive powerplay strategies suited to contemporary T20 cricket, drawing on Zaheer’s analytical background at Mumbai Indians and Lucknow and Dhoni’s match-reading ability. The third is the bowling unit, where Zaheer and Mohit are expected to build a stronger death-bowling attack through better execution and micro-matchups.
With Gurunath due to finalise the remaining appointments, the batting and fielding coach positions are the next decisions awaiting CSK.
