The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings are searching for a new head coach after Stephen Fleming parted ways with the franchise on July 13, 2026, bringing an 18-year association to a close.
As reported by Cricbuzz, the search has taken a clearer direction following comments from CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, who indicated the franchise is leaning towards appointing an overseas expert in the role, much as Fleming was throughout his tenure.
That preference effectively reduces the chances of Hemang Badani, who had been considered a candidate in the early stages of the search. With CSK now signalling a preference for an overseas appointment, Badani’s prospects of landing the top coaching job at the franchise appear unlikely, though this remains unresolved pending an official announcement.
Viswanathan confirmed that the franchise has already received interest from several candidates.
“We have not started applying our minds on this. First, we will have a coach. We have got calls from many interested candidates. We will sit and finalise,” said CSK CEO.
The CEO’s remarks suggest the appointment process is still in its early stages, with no shortlist confirmed publicly.
Why did CSK part ways with Stephen Fleming?
Fleming’s departure followed a difficult run of results across the last three IPL seasons. CSK finished 10th in IPL 2025 and 8th in IPL 2026, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The sustained decline in performance made a change inevitable, and the franchise confirmed the split on July 13, 2026.
No official statement detailing the specific circumstances of the parting has been made public beyond the results. Fleming had been among the most successful coaches in IPL history during his earlier years with CSK, but the recent campaigns brought his long stint to an end. Names such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Rahul Dravid were reportedly considered for the role in the weeks following his departure, though the CEO’s overseas preference has since shifted the direction of the search considerably.
Reports have also linked Fleming to a role in helping fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum secure the CSK coaching position, though this has not been verified through official sources and remains unconfirmed.
CSK to decide next head coach before Hardik Pandya deal?
The decision on Fleming’s replacement will involve key figures within the CSK setup. Viswanathan and director Rupa Gurunath are expected to consult with MS Dhoni and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad before finalising the appointment, ensuring the most experienced voices in the dressing room are part of the process.
The franchise has also confirmed that appointing a head coach will take priority over other squad-building decisions, including any potential move for Hardik Pandya. CSK wants the coaching structure in place before addressing further recruitment matters ahead of the next IPL cycle. The timeline for the final appointment has not been disclosed publicly.
