Players say that at Chennai Super Kings, there is no culture of painstaking post-match postmortems, lengthy debriefing sessions or exhaustive reviews after an IPL game. There are no over-the-top celebrations either. More often than not, the post-match message from the management to the players is limited to two simple words — ‘Well done’ or ‘Bad luck’.
That relaxed atmosphere has often worked in CSK’s favour, allowing players and coaching staff to operate without excessive pressure. Zaheer Khan, the franchise’s newly appointed head coach, is likely to appreciate such an environment. The former India pacer has never been regarded as an overly demanding coach, and with MS Dhoni known for his calm and measured approach, the combination could make for an interesting partnership. The chemistry between two former India teammates could prove important as CSK look to regain their edge.
Zaheer’s appointment also sends an important signal about the way CSK continues to function. It underlines Dhoni’s influence within the franchise and his role in key cricketing decisions. Although he did not feature in a single game last season, Dhoni remains closely involved in the team’s affairs. The franchise is understood to have waited for his return from the US before finalising its new head coach.
“It was not an administrative decision. The cricket committee decided this. It was MS’s suggestion. He spoke to captain Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad), and both had a discussion with owner Rupa (Gurunath), and thus the decision was arrived at,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told Cricbuzz. Zaheer has initially been appointed on a one-year contract.
Dhoni and Zaheer shared the Indian dressing room for several years, playing together in 164 matches across formats between 2004 and 2014. Their familiarity could help CSK bring back the competitive edge the franchise has enjoyed for much of its IPL history but appeared to lack in recent seasons.
An overseas coach could certainly have formed a successful partnership with Dhoni — Gary Kirsten and Stephen Fleming are examples — but this time, Dhoni has opted for someone he knows well.
CSK are understood to have spoken to several overseas candidates after Fleming stepped down a few months ago. Former England captain Eoin Morgan was reportedly among those approached, although he is believed to have preferred continuing with his current commentary commitments. Mike Hussey, meanwhile, was another name considered for the head coach role, though he could continue as the team’s batting coach.
For Zaheer, this will be his third IPL coaching assignment. He spent the 2025 season as a mentor with Lucknow Super Giants, although that association lasted only a year. Before that, he had a significant stint with Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2023.
Zaheer’s tenure with MI coincided with two IPL titles, but his contribution to the franchise extended beyond the trophies. He was also reportedly involved in discussions around the team’s retention decisions, including Hardik Pandya. Pandya subsequently moved to Gujarat Titans, where he made an immediate impact as captain, leading the franchise to the title in its debut season and then to the runners-up spot the following year. MI eventually worked to bring him back to Mumbai.
That history adds another layer to the much-discussed possibility of a Pandya trade between MI and CSK. Whether such a move eventually materialises remains uncertain, but Viswanathan has indicated that discussions with Zaheer have not progressed that far yet. It could, however, become one of the immediate issues for the Dhoni-Gaikwad-Zaheer combination to address.
Zaheer had also come close to joining the Indian coaching setup in 2017. The Cricket Advisory Committee had recommended him for the role of bowling coach, but then head coach Ravi Shastri opted to continue with Bharat Arun.
Despite the twists and turns in his coaching career, Zaheer continues to command considerable respect among young cricketers, particularly for his understanding of the game and his mentoring abilities. At CSK, he now gets an opportunity to work alongside Dhoni and lead a franchise that has traditionally valued stability, trust and a calm dressing-room environment.
His initial contract may be for only one year, but if the Dhoni-Zaheer partnership delivers the desired results, there is every possibility that the association could extend well beyond that.
