Chennai Super Kings have appointed three head coaches between 2008 and 2027: Keppler Wessels, Stephen Fleming and Zaheer Khan. Wessels coached CSK during their inaugural season, while Fleming took charge in 2009 and remained at the helm through 2026. Zaheer Khan then took over ahead of the IPL 2027 season.
This list covers every head coach who has led the franchise, along with their respective tenures and key support staff across the team’s IPL journey.
CSK Coaches List: Quick Facts
| Detail | Record |
| First CSK head coach | Keppler Wessels |
| Longest-serving head coach | Stephen Fleming |
| Current CSK head coach | Zaheer Khan |
| Head coaches appointed | 3 |
| First season | 2008 |
| Latest season covered | 2027 |
Complete List of CSK Head Coaches From 2008 to 2027
| Coach | Period | Seasons | Major achievements |
| Keppler Wessels | 2008 | 1 | IPL runners-up |
| Stephen Fleming | 2009–2026 | 16 active seasons | Five IPL and two CLT20 titles |
| Zaheer Khan | 2027–present | Ongoing | Appointed for IPL 2027 |
Note: Chennai Super Kings did not compete in the IPL during 2016 and 2017 due to their two-season suspension.
CSK Coaching Staff — Year-wise
The CSK coaches list from 2008 to 2027 below tracks the franchise’s head coaches alongside other confirmed coaching appointments across each IPL season. It also shows how the CSK coaching staff evolved over the years.
| Season | Head coach | Other confirmed coaches |
| 2008 | Kepler Wessels | No specialist coaching appointments reliably documented |
| 2009 | Stephen Fleming | Venkatesh Prasad, assistant coach |
| 2010 | Stephen Fleming | Venkatesh Prasad, bowling coach; Steve Rixon, assistant coach |
| 2011–2015 | Stephen Fleming | Andy Bichel, bowling coach; Steve Rixon, fielding coach |
| 2016–2017 | Did not compete | CSK suspended |
| 2018–2020 | Stephen Fleming | Michael Hussey, batting coach; L. Balaji, bowling coach; Eric Simons, bowling consultant; Rajiv Kumar, fielding coach |
| 2021–2022 | Stephen Fleming | Michael Hussey, batting coach; L. Balaji, bowling coach; Eric Simons, bowling consultant; Rajiv Kumar, fielding coach |
| 2023–2024 | Stephen Fleming | Michael Hussey, batting coach; Dwayne Bravo, bowling coach; Eric Simons, bowling consultant; Rajiv Kumar, fielding coach |
| 2025 | Stephen Fleming | Michael Hussey, batting coach; Eric Simons, bowling consultant; Rajiv Kumar, fielding coach; Sridharan Sriram, assistant bowling coach |
| 2026 | Stephen Fleming | Michael Hussey, batting coach; Eric Simons, bowling coach; James Foster, fielding coach; Rajiv Kumar, assistant coach; Sridharan Sriram, assistant bowling coach; Arun Karthik, assistant fielding coach |
| 2027 | Zaheer Khan | Remaining CSK coaching staff 2027 yet to be confirmed |
CSK Head Coaches Through the Years
CSK have appointed only three head coaches across their IPL history. From Kepler Wessels leading the inaugural campaign to Stephen Fleming’s long reign and Zaheer Khan’s appointment for 2027, each tenure represents a distinct phase in the franchise’s development.
Keppler Wessels: CSK’s First Head Coach
Kepler Wessels became CSK’s first coach when Chennai Super Kings entered the IPL in 2008. Before moving into coaching, Wessels enjoyed an outstanding international career, representing both Australia and South Africa in Test cricket.
As CSK’s coach, Wessels oversaw 16 matches in the inaugural season, guiding the side to nine wins and seven defeats. CSK reached the 2008 IPL final against Rajasthan Royals but fell short of the title. Wessels departed after that first season, ending a one-year tenure.
His place in CSK coach history remains significant as the man who led the franchise through its first IPL campaign.
Stephen Fleming: CSK’s Longest-Serving Coach
Stephen Fleming took over as CSK head coach in 2009. He had played for CSK in 2008, scoring 196 runs in 10 innings. His partnership with MS Dhoni became central to CSK’s identity, with Fleming contributing to strategy, squad balance and player roles.
From 2009 to 2015, CSK reached five IPL finals, winning two, plus two Champions League T20 titles. Returning in 2018, Fleming added three IPL titles, taking his tally to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles.
Zaheer Khan: CSK Head Coach From 2027
Chennai Super Kings appointed Zaheer Khan as their head coach ahead of IPL 2027, replacing Stephen Fleming after his 18-year association with the franchise. Zaheer signed a one-year contract with an option to extend, marking his first IPL head-coaching role.
He brings extensive experience from previous positions, including working as a bowling consultant with India, serving as Director of Cricket Operations and Global Head of Cricket Development at Mumbai Indians, and mentoring Lucknow Super Giants.
His appointment signals a new phase for CSK, with the franchise looking to rebuild after missing the playoffs from 2024 to 2026. Zaheer’s immediate task will be to help CSK return to the playoffs while identifying a core group of five to seven players for the next cycle. The one-year deal also allows both sides to assess the direction before committing longer term.
For the full details, read our Zaheer Khan appointment article.
CSK Specialist Coaches Through the Years
CSK’s specialist coaching appointments have not been documented consistently across every IPL season. Public records from the franchise’s early years identify the head coach and some bowling and fielding coaches, but no separate batting coach could be verified.
The roles within the CSK coaching staff became more clearly defined after the franchise returned to the IPL in 2018.
CSK Batting Coaches Through the Years
| Coach | Period | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Hussey | 2018–2026 | Batting coach |
| To be confirmed | 2027 | Batting coach |
Michael Hussey became CSK’s first clearly documented specialist batting coach when the franchise returned to the IPL in 2018. He remained in the position through the 2026 season and was part of the coaching staff during CSK’s title-winning campaigns in 2018, 2021 and 2023.
During his tenure, Hussey worked with established players and younger batters, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel. His position within Zaheer Khan’s coaching staff for IPL 2027 has not yet been confirmed.
CSK Bowling Coaches Through the Years
| Coach | Period | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Venkatesh Prasad | 2009–2010 | Bowling coach |
| Andy Bichel | 2011–2015 | Bowling coach |
| Lakshmipathy Balaji | 2018–2022 | Bowling coach |
| Eric Simons | 2018–2025 | Bowling consultant |
| Dwayne Bravo | 2023–2024 | Bowling coach |
| Sridharan Sriram | 2025–2026 | Assistant bowling coach |
| Eric Simons | 2026 | Bowling coach |
| To be confirmed | 2027 | Bowling coach or support role |
Venkatesh Prasad was CSK’s first clearly documented bowling coach, serving during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Andy Bichel replaced him in 2011 and remained with the franchise through 2015. Across their combined tenure, CSK won the IPL in 2010 and 2011 and the Champions League T20 in 2010 and 2014.
When CSK returned in 2018, former player Lakshmipathy Balaji became bowling coach, with Eric Simons joining as bowling consultant. Balaji held the role through 2022 before Dwayne Bravo took over for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Sridharan Sriram joined as assistant bowling coach in 2025. Simons served as bowling coach in 2026, supported by Sriram. Both remain part of CSK’s current support setup, but their exact roles for IPL 2027 have not yet been confirmed.
CSK Fielding Coaches Through the Years
| Coach | Period | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Rixon | 2010–2015 | Fielding and assistant coach |
| Rajiv Kumar | 2018–2025 | Fielding coach; later batting and fielding coach |
| James Foster | 2026 | Fielding coach |
| Arun Karthik | 2026 | Assistant fielding coach |
| To be confirmed | 2027 | Fielding coach |
CSK have consistently treated fielding as an important part of their cricketing philosophy. This has been reflected in the presence of outstanding fielders such as Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Faf du Plessis during the franchise’s early years, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis in recent seasons.
While the players supplied the skill and athleticism, CSK’s fielding coaches deserve credit for maintaining those standards across different squads. Steve Rixon established the early setup, Rajiv Kumar carried it forward after CSK’s return in 2018, and James Foster took charge in 2026 with support from Arun Karthik.
How CSK’s Coaching Staff Changed Over Time
CSK’s coaching setup has evolved from a small group handling multiple responsibilities into a specialised team of batting, bowling and fielding coaches. These changes can be divided into four clear periods, each reflecting the franchise’s priorities at the time.
CSK’s Original Coaching Setup: 2008
Chennai Super Kings began their IPL journey in 2008 with Kepler Wessels as their head coach. Available public records do not confirm separate batting, bowling, or fielding coaches for CSK’s 2008 season. As a result, CSK has no reliably documented specialist appointments from its inaugural season. V. B. Chandrasekhar was a key member of the franchise’s cricket management and decision-making team during the inaugural auction and the team’s initial setup.
The Fleming, Bichel and Rixon Core: 2009–2015
The 2009–2015 period established the coaching core that shaped CSK’s early identity. Stephen Fleming led the side, with Venkatesh Prasad handling bowling in 2009 and 2010 before leaving in early 2011 to rejoin Royal Challengers Bangalore. Andy Bichel replaced him, while Steve Rixon handled fielding and assistant-coaching duties.
It was a formidable coaching lineup, combining tactical experience with a strong emphasis on athleticism and fielding. CSK became renowned for their work in the field, with players such as Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina contributing to that identity. The period produced two IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles.
A More Specialised Coaching Staff: 2018–2022
The 2018 return marked a clear shift towards a more specialised CSK coaching staff. Stephen Fleming continued as head coach, while former CSK players Michael Hussey and L. Balaji joined as batting and bowling coaches. Rajiv Kumar handled fielding, with Eric Simons serving as bowling consultant.
Bringing Hussey and Balaji into the setup was significant, as much of the squad retained from CSK’s previous IPL stint was now older, increasing the need for player development and role management. The franchise retained this core for five straight seasons, qualifying for the playoffs in three of four seasons from 2018 to 2021, reaching three finals and winning the IPL in 2018 and 2021. This group helped maintain CSK’s competitive identity through a crucial transition.
Transition and Rebuilding: 2023–2027
CSK’s coaching setup began changing more frequently from 2023. Dwayne Bravo replacing L. Balaji as bowling coach before leaving after 2024. Sridharan Sriram joined as assistant bowling coach in 2025, followed by James Foster as fielding coach in 2026. With Zaheer Khan taking charge in 2027, the CSK enters a new chapter, while the CSK coaching staff 2027 continues to take shape.
Which CSK Coach Has Won the Most IPL Titles?
Stephen Fleming has won five IPL titles as CSK head coach, making him the coach with the most CSK coach IPL trophies. His titles came in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023, across two spells with the franchise. Fleming also guided CSK to two Champions League T20 titles, in 2010 and 2014. His five IPL trophies make him the standout figure in the CSK head coaches list for championship success.
