Newly appointed Chennai Super Kings head coach Zaheer Khan says succeeding Stephen Fleming is both a challenging and exciting responsibility. The former India pacer, who has strong ties to Chennai through the MRF Pace Foundation, will begin preparations for IPL 2027 with the December mini auction in Goa as his immediate priority.
New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Newly appointed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Zaheer Khan has described his new role as a major privilege accompanied by enormous responsibility, acknowledging the challenge of succeeding Stephen Fleming while expressing confidence about beginning a new chapter with the five-time Indian Premier League champions.
Zaheer, the former India left-arm fast bowler and member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, was appointed CSK head coach on Monday ahead of IPL 2027. His first major assignment will be to work with the franchise on its strategy for the IPL mini auction, scheduled to be held in Goa in December.
Speaking on CSK's official YouTube channel on Friday, Zaheer said the magnitude of the appointment was still sinking in, particularly because of the affection shown by the franchise's supporters.
"The feeling is still sinking in," Zaheer said, adding that the response from fans and well-wishers had made the moment particularly special. At the same time, he acknowledged that taking charge of a franchise with CSK's history would bring considerable pressure.
Zaheer pointed to the franchise's long-standing success and the expectations surrounding the team as he outlined the challenge ahead.
CSK have built one of the strongest legacies in IPL history, and Zaheer said stepping into the role after Fleming meant taking responsibility for a well-established cricketing culture. He described the task of filling Fleming's shoes as difficult but exciting, with his focus on ensuring that the team continues to operate at the level expected by its supporters.
The former India pacer also spoke about the straightforward manner in which CSK approached his appointment. According to Zaheer, the franchise first established his availability before discussions moved towards formalities.
He credited CSK's management and leadership for providing clarity throughout the process and said the confidence shown in his coaching abilities gave him encouragement as he prepared to take on the new assignment.
Zaheer said the greater responsibility would bring a different kind of challenge but added that he valued the trust placed in him. He indicated that his approach would be to embrace the responsibility and concentrate on delivering his best for the franchise.
A major part of his task will involve maintaining the culture established during Fleming's long tenure. Zaheer paid tribute to the former New Zealand captain, highlighting the consistency and relationship Fleming shared with MS Dhoni.
According to Zaheer, the Fleming-Dhoni partnership played an important role in establishing CSK's distinctive identity over the years. He said the franchise had developed its brand of cricket through sustained work and that the objective now would be to protect that identity while taking the team forward.
Zaheer also acknowledged the expectations that accompany the CSK job. Having faced the franchise as a player during his own career, he recalled how difficult CSK had traditionally been as an opponent and said that experience had given him an appreciation of the team's competitive culture.
For Zaheer, the appointment also carries a personal connection with Chennai. Long before taking charge of CSK, he spent several formative years in the city training at the renowned MRF Pace Foundation under Australian fast-bowling great Dennis Lillee.
Zaheer recalled spending nearly three years at the pace academy, an experience he said played a significant role in shaping him as a fast bowler.
His memories of Chennai extend beyond training. He remembered living in Anna Nagar, spending time with fellow fast bowlers at the foundation and playing league cricket in the city. During the off-season, several young pacers would train together for months before spending their weekends exploring the city, watching movies and building friendships.
He also recalled training at the Pace Academy facility in Egmore and playing local league cricket. Zaheer was associated with the MRF team and the Globe Trotters in Chennai's local cricket circuit, experiences that helped establish a lasting connection with the city.
That familiarity, he suggested, makes his transition into the CSK setup feel less like an entirely new beginning and more like a return to a place with which he has longstanding associations.
The former pacer also spoke warmly about the relationship between CSK and its supporters. He said the affection shown by the fans had made him feel welcomed and reinforced the sense of community associated with the franchise.
For Zaheer, the connection between the team and its supporters is central to the CSK experience. He described the atmosphere at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, popularly known as Chepauk, as one where the team and fans come together like a family.
His immediate attention, however, will turn towards building the squad for the next IPL season. With the December mini auction approaching, Zaheer and the CSK management will have to assess the existing squad, identify areas requiring reinforcement and determine their recruitment strategy.
The appointment marks Zaheer's return to a high-profile coaching role in the IPL after his earlier association with Mumbai Indians, where he worked in a leadership and coaching capacity. His experience as an international cricketer and his subsequent work in team management will now be brought into CSK's setup.
The 2027 season will therefore represent a new phase for both Zaheer and CSK. While Fleming's tenure has set a high benchmark, Zaheer will have the opportunity to shape the team's next phase while operating within a franchise culture built over nearly two decades.
For now, Zaheer said he was looking forward to sharing the journey with the players, management and supporters and to building on the sense of togetherness that has long defined CSK.
As the franchise begins preparations for another IPL campaign, the new head coach's first test will be turning his plans into a competitive squad at the auction table before taking that strategy onto the field in IPL 2027.
