Chennai franchise selects veteran pacer Zaheer Khan for 2027
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan will lead Chennai Super Kings as their head coach for the 2027 Indian Premier League season. Management confirmed the decision on Monday, marking a major transition for the five-time champion franchise. Khan steps in for Stephen Fleming, who held the position for 16 years and guided the squad to five league titles. This coaching change arrives as the team prepares for a critical phase of squad restructuring ahead of the next mega auction, aiming to reclaim their dominance in the tournament.
Khan brings significant expertise from his previous management roles across the league. His most recent position was as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants, which concluded in 2025. Prior to that, he served Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022, starting as Director of Cricket Operations before taking charge of their global development. This upcoming assignment with Chennai represents his first official opportunity to serve purely as a head coach.
Stellar Playing Background
Management leaders praised Khan for his deep understanding of the game and his history of developing young fast bowlers. Managing Director KS Viswanathan highlighted Khan's strategic mind, calling him one of the finest thinkers in modern cricket. Over a 14-year playing career, Khan represented India in 92 Tests, 200 One Day Internationals, and 17 Twenty20 Internationals. He played a central role in securing the 2011 World Cup victory for the national side. In addition to his international records, he competed in 100 Indian Premier League matches before retiring to focus on team management.
Khan expressed immense pride in joining one of the most successful sporting franchises. He recalled his past rivalries against Chennai on the field and noted his excitement to experience the famous crowd support at Chepauk Stadium from the home dugout. Franchise owner Rupa Gurunath stated that his proven ability to nurture emerging talent will solidify their core group for future campaigns.
With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI
