Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden has backed Dinesh Karthik as a potential successor to Stephen Fleming at Chennai Super Kings, arguing that the five-time IPL champions should prioritise a coach with a strong local connection as they reshape their leadership ahead of IPL 2027.
Fleming’s departure has created a significant change for a franchise whose coaching structure remained remarkably consistent during its rise to become one of the IPL’s most successful teams. The former New Zealand Captain has moved into the England Test Head Coach role, leaving CSK to identify the next leader of its coaching set-up.
Hayden makes the case for Karthik
Karthik has moved into coaching since ending his playing career and currently works with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as Batting Coach and Mentor. Although the Chennai-born former India wicketkeeper-batter never represented CSK during an IPL career spanning six franchises, Hayden believes his background makes him well suited to the vacancy.
Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden told Sportstar: “There are names that have been mentioned; one of them was Dinesh Karthik, who I think is probably ready to take on that kind of role. I think it’s important to have a local coach.”
Karthik joined RCB’s coaching operation following his retirement, giving him experience within an IPL backroom set-up. His time with the franchise has coincided with RCB winning consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026 after previously going without a championship.
Hayden added: “I know that a lot of franchises do go for international coaches, but I feel like the head coach role of a franchise as big as CSK should have that kind of local touch, even Chennai touch, which is why I thought Dinesh would be perfect.”
CSK faces a major leadership transition
The appointment will follow one of the longest and most successful coaching tenures in IPL history. Fleming initially represented CSK as a player before moving into the coaching staff, where his partnership with MS Dhoni became a defining feature of the franchise.
Their time together helped establish CSK as an IPL powerhouse, with the franchise winning five league titles under Fleming. CSK also won two Champions League T20 trophies during his tenure.
The uncertainty around CSK’s coaching structure also extends to Batting Coach Michael Hussey, who is being pursued by both Australia and England for coaching roles. Hussey is considering the approaches but has yet to make a decision, leaving open the possibility of another change within the franchise’s established backroom team.
For Hayden, who also represented Chennai Super Kings during his playing career, selecting the next Head Coach carries particular significance. He noted: “It’s something that I really hope that the franchise gets right. Flemo did a fantastic job with MS Dhoni; that was really such a strong engine room of CSK.”
Fleming’s move to England now brings that long-running arrangement to an end and gives CSK an opportunity to establish a different coaching structure. The franchise can still draw on overseas expertise elsewhere within its support staff, while Hayden sees the top position differently.
Search for Fleming’s successor continues
Several names have been discussed in connection with the position, including Dhoni, but CSK has yet to settle the identity of Fleming’s successor. There has also been no public confirmation from Karthik that he intends to pursue the role.
The eventual appointment will determine who takes responsibility for following a coach whose tenure delivered sustained success and created a close leadership partnership with Dhoni. Hayden said: “You can certainly have support staff that aren’t local, but what a shift… [It was] such a beautiful campaign that MS and Flemm had. So much success, equal title holds with Mumbai [Indians], just such a good legacy, but it’s a bold and good move, and I’m looking forward to seeing who gets the job.”
