Chennai: Ending weeks of speculation after Stephen Fleming’s exit, the Chennai Super Kings on Monday announced former Team India pacer Zaheer Khan as their head coach for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Former New Zealand captain Fleming was at the helm of the Yellow Brigade for 18 years, having taken charge after ex-South Africa skipper Kepler Wessels coached MS Dhoni & Co. in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008.
Zaheer, who will turn 48 next month, served as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket before taking up the role of a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 season.
The crafty left-arm pacer played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for the country, bagging 311, 282 and 17 wickets, respectively. Zaheer was also the highest wicket-taker in India’s 2011 World Cup-winning campaign with 21 scalps.
“Chennai Super Kings announce former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan as the team’s Head Coach for TATA IPL 2027. A crucial part of India’s successful World Cup 2011 campaign, Zaheer comes with a vast experience across formats having played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India in a career that spanned 14 years. In the IPL, Zaheer has played 100 matches and turned to coaching roles post his retirement,” the franchise in a statement.