Chennai Super Kings are searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Stephen Fleming following the IPL 2026 season. The franchise finished eighth in the standings with six wins from 14 matches, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Hemang Badani has emerged as a frontrunner for the role, particularly if MS Dhoni’s preference for an Indian-led coaching structure is followed. Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has publicly opposed Badani’s candidacy.
“There is no way Hemang Badani should be CSK’s head coach. He didn’t do anything in DC. I don’t know why CSK should go all-out for him. He is nothing special as a coach. When you have Dhoni, why do you even need someone else as coach? Dhoni himself is enough as head coach,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
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Badani’s tenure as head coach of Delhi Capitals in 2025 and 2026 saw the franchise miss the playoffs in both seasons. His record at the franchise has become a key point of contention in the debate over CSK’s coaching vacancy.
Srikkanth advocated for Chandrakant Pandit as a superior option if CSK insists on appointing an Indian coach. Pandit spent three seasons as Kolkata Knight Riders head coach from IPL 2023 to 2025, guiding the franchise to their third IPL title in 2024. Srikkanth outlined his criteria for the ideal candidate.
“If Dhoni is preferring an Indian coach, then I would go for Chandrakant Pandit. He’s a good guy and has won trophies. But CSK should go for an Indian option. Either the coach must have been a great international player or achieved big as a coach at the domestic or IPL level,” Srikkanth said.
Srikkanth also addressed the timeline for CSK’s decision-making process. The franchise has not yet announced a new head coach, and the former opener believes there is no urgency to rush the appointment.
“It’s fine that CSK are taking their time. There is no necessity to make the decision in a hurry. The auction will only be in December, so there’s enough time. So they shouldn’t rush it at all and should think calmly to make the right decision,” Srikkanth concluded.
