Zaheer Khan replaces Stephen Fleming as CSK Head Coach (Source: AFP)In July 2026, the five-time IPL-title-winning team, Chennai Super Kings, parted ways with Stephen Fleming, concluding their 17-year-long association.According to the official announcement, the decision was reached with respect and gratitude, following a series of open and honest discussions between Fleming and the Super Kings management.After Stephen’s ouster, the search for the right person for the role lasted more than two months. Eventually, on September 21, 2026, the franchise confirmed the appointment of former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan as the new CSK head coach for the next Indian Premier League (IPL 2027) edition.That being said, in this article, let’s explore the long history of CSK head coaches over the years.1) Kepler Wessels: IPL 2008Kepler Wessels, the former South African captain, was named the coach of the IPL’s Chennai franchise for the inaugural season in 2008.Wessels had a highly successful one-year stint as CSK’s head coach. With MS Dhoni as the captain, the franchise ended up as runners-up in IPL 2008, losing the final to Rajasthan Royals. They won 8 out of 14 matches to finish at the 3rd spot in the table.Nonetheless, Wessels left the CSK coaching setup. The decision stemmed from his unwillingness to continue for another season with the franchise. Wessels said the stress and intensity of the 45-day tournament had prompted second thoughts about a second stint.On top of that, years later, when CSK and Stephen Fleming parted ways, Kepler Wessels, now a match referee and a business owner, declined the possibility of returning back to CSK’s coaching setup.2) Stephen Fleming: IPL 2009-2026Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming joined the Chennai-based franchise as a player in the IPL’s inaugural year (2008). In his first and only IPL season as a player, Fleming scored 196 runs in 10 matches.The very next season, 2009, he replaced Kepler Wessels as head coach. This marked the start of one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in the history of the Indian Premier League.Under Fleming, CSK has won 5 IPL trophies and 2 Champions League Twenty20 tournaments. The team has entered the playoffs a record 12 times and has been part of 10 IPL finals.Also read: All Trophies CSK Won Under Stephen FlemingHowever, in the recent few years, the team has experienced a sharp decline in performance, missing the IPL playoffs for three consecutive seasons (2024, 2025, and 2026).As a result, the Chennai Super Kings parted ways with head coach Stephen Fleming in July 2026 after a 17-year association. In those 17 years, the association built one of the most respected and consistent setups in franchise cricket.3) Zaheer Khan: IPL 2027Stephen Fleming’s failure to revive CSK’s fortunes cost him his job, and the franchise moved ahead, seeking a fresh approach to get back to the top.After a couple of months of pondering and exploring several credible names like Eoin Morgan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Hemang Badani and Michael Hussey, Zaheen Khan has been appointed the CSK head coach for the IPL 2027.One of the great pace bowlers of his era, this is the first time Zaheer will take over as the head coach of an IPL team.As a player, he played in exactly 100 IPL matches, taking 102 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians.After calling time on his cricketing career in 2015, Khan explored roles in team management. Notably, he worked with Mumbai Indians as Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 and later joined Lucknow Super Giants as a mentor in August 2024. His association with LSG ended in September 2025.Joining CSK as head coach, Zaheer became the first Indian in the franchise’s history to hold the role.Also read: Zaheer Khan’s CSK Head Coach Appointment Labelled A Copy
