CSK CEO and Director Kasi Viswanathan has revealed how much of an influence MS Dhoni had in the appointment of Zaheer Khan as the new CSK head coach.
On Monday, the five-time IPL champions ended weeks of speculation by naming Zaheer as the replacement of Stephen Fleming. The Kiwi and CSK had parted ways after an underwhelming IPL 2026 season, which was a third season in a row that the Yellow Army failed to reach the playoffs.
In the period between Fleming’s departure and Zaheer’s appointment, a few named had been speculated, including Michael Hussey, who is CSK’s batting coach; Brendon McCullum, who was sacked as England’s Test coach a few months ago; and Hemang Badani, whose contract with Delhi Capitals was now renewed.
However, it was well-believed that Dhoni will have the major say on the identity of the new CSK coach. And the 2011 World Cup-winning captain picked one of his teammates, Zaheer, whom Dhoni had often hailed during their playing time together.
It was MS Dhoni who suggested Zaheer: CSK CEO
Zaheer’s choice was not one that anyone outside of the CSK know of development anticipated, but it is Dhoni’s trust in his former teammate that earned Zaheer this job.
Once Dhoni had labelled Zaheer as the ‘Sachin of India’s bowling department’ while highlighting the team’s dependency on the left-arm pacer who played a key role in India lifting the 2011 World Cup trophy. In that tournament at home, Zaheer claimed 21 scalps, the joint-most in the competition.
Speaking with The Indian Express, the CSK CEO revealed that it was Dhoni who recommended Zaheer as the coach for IPL 2027. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and owner Rupa Gurunath were also in agreement.
“It was MS who suggested Zaheer, and the cricket management team, comprising Rupa and Ruturaj Gaikwad, agreed that he fits the role. He has previous experience of working in the IPL with MI and LSG, and given that, we felt he is the right choice,” Viswanathan told The Indian Express.
“We couldn’t have got a better coach than Zaheer. To convince him to take the role wasn’t easy because it took some time, but eventually he agreed to come on board,” Viswanathan added.
Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2027?
The CSK CEO confirmed that Dhoni is not retiring this year and will be available for IPL 2027. “He is available as a player,” Viswanathan said of the current standings of the former captain.
Dhoni didn’t play a single game in IPL 2026 due to a calf muscle injury.
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