Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will enter IPL 2027 without a dedicated batting coach, with new Head Coach Zaheer Khan opting for a different coaching structure as the five-time champions undertake a major overhaul of their support staff.
The decision follows the departures of long-serving Head Coach Stephen Fleming and Batting Coach Michael Hussey, whose exits form part of a wider restructuring after CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
Chennai Super Kings Chief Executive Officer Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the franchise’s plans in an interview with Sportstar, saying, “Our coaching staff is complete. Whoever we announced yesterday will form our backroom team; we will not have a batting coach.”
Zaheer Khan takes charge of CSK’s new coaching structure
Zaheer’s appointment marks a significant change in leadership for a franchise that had maintained considerable continuity in its coaching department for nearly two decades.
Fleming had served as CSK’s Head Coach since the IPL’s second season, while Hussey joined the coaching setup in 2018. Both were central figures in the franchise’s established backroom structure, which has now been replaced by a new team under Zaheer.
Although CSK will not recruit a direct replacement for Hussey, the franchise is considering giving batting-related responsibilities to newly appointed Assistant Coach Gareth Batty.
Viswanathan explained, “It’s a decision taken by Zaheer (on not having a batting coach). But yes, we are exploring the option of using Batty as a batting mentor. Discussions are ongoing.”
Batty, the former England spinner who coached Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles, has joined CSK as their second Assistant Coach. Any additional batting mentorship responsibilities remain subject to the ongoing discussions.
Former CSK players return in revamped support staff
The coaching changes also bring two familiar faces back to Chennai Super Kings, with former India fast bowler Mohit Sharma appointed Bowling Coach and former South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel joining as Assistant Coach.
Both previously represented CSK as players and now return in coaching capacities as the franchise prepares for its next IPL campaign.
Meanwhile, Sridharan Sriram and James Foster are the only two members retained from the previous support staff. Sriram will continue as Assistant Coach, while Foster remains Fielding Coach.
The appointments establish a substantially different coaching group from the one that guided CSK through their previous title-winning campaigns. They also end speculation surrounding former players Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, who had been linked with the vacant batting coach position.
Three disappointing IPL seasons prompt major changes
CSK’s restructuring follows a sustained downturn in results since the franchise won its fifth IPL title in 2023.
The team narrowly missed the playoffs in 2024, finishing fifth with seven victories from 14 matches. Results deteriorated further in 2025, when CSK finished bottom of the standings with just four wins and ten defeats.
There was some improvement in 2026, but six victories from 14 matches were only enough for eighth place, extending the franchise’s absence from the playoffs to three consecutive seasons.
For a team that has reached ten IPL finals and won five championships, the recent results represent a significant departure from its established record of consistency.
The appointment of Zaheer and the changes to the coaching department follow that difficult period, with CSK entering the 2027 season under new leadership and a substantially reconstituted support staff.
MS Dhoni’s IPL future remains dependent on fitness
Alongside the coaching transition, uncertainty continues over whether MS Dhoni will return to play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2027.
The former India Captain missed the entire 2026 season after suffering a calf injury during pre-season training. He has also dealt with knee problems in recent years, making his physical condition an important consideration in determining whether he can continue playing.
Speaking at a healthcare event in Bengaluru, Dhoni addressed his doctors, saying, “Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season.”
The 2026 campaign was particularly challenging for Dhoni, whose rehabilitation continued after the initial injury. Although he subsequently moved closer to recovery, he did not make a mid-season return, avoiding a potential disruption to the team’s established balance.
Dhoni added, “And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So all the pressure is on them.”
His participation in IPL 2027 therefore remains undecided, with medical assessments expected to inform his decision before December.
CSK CEO addresses Hardik Pandya trade speculation
Another question surrounding CSK’s preparations for the new season concerns speculation linking India all-rounder Hardik Pandya with a potential move to the franchise.
Viswanathan offered no indication of progress towards such a deal when asked about the possibility, responding, “No developments on that front to my knowledge.”
With the coaching appointments confirmed and discussions continuing over Batty’s potential batting mentor responsibilities, CSK’s preparations for IPL 2027 are taking shape under Zaheer’s leadership.
The franchise will begin its next campaign with a new Head Coach, a reshaped support staff and no designated batting coach, while Dhoni’s playing future remains dependent on his forthcoming fitness assessments.
