With a simple “Thank You Stephen Fleming” poster, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced the end of the longest team-coach association in IPL history as the five-time champions and the New Zealander “decided to mutually part ways.”
With Fleming at the helm since 2009 as the head coach, CSK won five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies. However, recent seasons have proven that even a stable and structured franchise like CSK will crack under during a transition period.
Following the retirements of some of CSK’s legends like Bravo, Raina, and Rayudu, and with MS Dhoni stepping down as the captain, CSK failed to reach the playoffs in the last three consecutive seasons.
Moving on from Fleming now, CSK have a tough assignment of picking their new head coach, a task they have not been required to do in the last 18 years. Let us check out five strong options whom CSK can turn towards to replace Fleming.
5 Contenders To Become New CSK Head Coach To Replace Stephen Fleming Ft. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik
Hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Dinesh Karthik never got the opportunity to play for CSK in the IPL despite being available in the auction multiple times.
His IPL career came to an end in 2024 with RCB, a fierce rival of CSK, and he swiftly moved into RCB’s coaching staff as a mentor and batting coach. Last year, he joined the London Spirit in the men’s Hundred tournament in England in the same roles.
Karthik understands the nuances of T20 cricket and modern-day cricketers better than most. A sort of homecoming would be complete for DK if he gets the chance to become the new CSK coach.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Another local lad who could be on CSK’s radar to replace Fleming is R. Ashwin. Unlike Karthik, Ashwin indeed played half of his IPL career for CSK.
Ashwin is often lauded for his understanding of the game and observing the tidbits that other experts miss. In his YouTube videos, Ashwin regularly gives his strong opinions about players, tactics, and selections.
The former off-spinner has lived and grown in CSK’s environments and gels very well with both Indian and overseas players. Ashwin is a seriously strong candidate to become the new CSK head coach.
Michael Hussey
CSK may not need to look far beyond their already existing coaching staff to find Fleming’s successor.
CSK’s current batting coach Michael Hussey can be promoted to the head coach role given his vast experience both as a player and coach. Hussey played six IPL seasons for CSK and after retirement promptly joined CSK’s backroom staff as batting coach in 2018.
The former Australian batsman is also the head coach of the Welsh Fire in the men’s Hundred, and took up roles of England’s consultant during their victorious 2022 T20 World Cup campaign and the Sydney Thunder director of cricket.
Mike Hesson
Mike Hesson is one of the most experienced, respected, and successful T20 coaches in the world and could be one of the frontrunners to become the CSK head coach.
Which teams has Mike Hesson coached?
In his two decades of coaching experience, Hesson has been at the helm of Otago Volts, Kenya, New Zealand, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Royal Challengers Bangalore, Islamabad United, and currently oversees the Pakistan national team.
He coached New Zealand to the final of the 2015 World Cup, and with Hesson as the director of cricket, RCB reached the playoffs thrice in three seasons in a row in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Hemang Badani
Hemang Badani’s name started circling on social media and news outlets soon after Fleming and CSK officially broke up.
Who will be the new CSK head coach?
According to Times of India, Badani, who is currently the head coach of Delhi Capitals, has emerged as a top contendor to replace Fleming as CSK’s coach. Badani has been DC’s coach in the last two seasons, but the franchise failed to reach the playoffs even once.
Badani has previously had success as a coach, winning the ILT20 trophy and TNPL titles. He has also served as a batting coach and consultant in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), men’s Hundred, and SA20.
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