In a move that signals a structural shift in their operational strategy, five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided to enter IPL 2027 without a designated batting coach.
CSK to enter IPL 2027 without batting coach
CSK, renowned for its loyalty to support staff and long-term continuity, confirmed that it will not seek a direct replacement for Australian batting icon Michael Hussey, whose extended tenure with the side recently came to an end.
The choice reflects a broader operational redesign following a comprehensive restructuring of the backroom staff aimed at revitalizing the squad after a difficult three-year run.
It’s a decision taken by Zaheer: Kasi Viswanathan
Addressing the restructuring, Chennai Super Kings Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that the backroom team for the 2027 campaign is fully assembled and will deliberately operate without a specialised batting coach.
"Our coaching staff is complete. Whoever we announced yesterday will form our backroom team; we will not have a batting coach," Viswanathan told Sportstar.
The decision effectively put an end to weeks of widespread speculation linking several former CSK stars to the vacant batting position. Addressing how this setup took shape, the CEO clarified that the direction came directly from the team's newly appointed head coach, Indian pace legend Zaheer Khan.
"It’s a decision taken by Zaheer (on not having a batting coach). But yes, we are exploring the option of using Batty as a batting mentor. Discussions are ongoing," Viswanathan explained.
Rather than recruiting a dedicated batting specialist, CSK are considering leveraging the technical expertise of second assistant coach Gareth Batty to double as a batting mentor, offering a flexible tactical structure.
CSK's revamped coaching staffs
The decision not to appoint a batting coach comes as part of a wide-ranging overhaul of CSK's backroom staff. For years, Chennai Super Kings possessed one of the most stable coaching setups in franchise cricket, anchored by long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming and batting coach Michael Hussey. Hussey had served as the team's batting coach since 2018, contributing significantly to title-winning campaigns. However, the latest restructuring saw both Fleming and Hussey depart, marking the end of a remarkable era.
To spearhead this new phase, CSK appointed former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their head coach. Zaheer will lead a freshly assembled support team featuring a mix of former franchise players and international coaching talent:
Mohit Sharma (Bowling Coach): The former India fast bowler and ex-CSK seamer steps into the primary bowling coach role to lead the seam attack strategies.
Albie Morkel (Assistant Coach): The former South African all-rounder, a pivotal member of CSK’s early championship-winning squads, returns to the franchise in a senior coaching role.
Gareth Batty (Assistant Coach): The former England spinner, who guided Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles as a coach, joins as a second assistant coach and potential batting mentor.
Retained Support Staff: Tactical continuity will be preserved through Sridharan Sriram and James Foster, who retain their respective positions as assistant coach and fielding coach.
How CSK's slump triggers overhaul in coaching set-up
The driving force behind this unprecedented coaching revamp has been CSK's prolonged period of underperformance. Known as the most consistent team in IPL history with 10 final appearances and 5 titles, Chennai Super Kings suffered a sharp decline in results across recent editions, failing to reach the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
After lifting their fifth IPL trophy in 2023, the franchise struggled to maintain momentum:
| Season | Matches Played | Wins (W) | Losses (L) | Final Position |
| 2024 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 5th Position |
| 2025 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 10th (Bottom) |
| 2026 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 8th Position |
2024 Season: CSK narrowly missed out on a playoff spot on net run rate, finishing 5th on the table with 7 wins and 7 losses from 14 matches.
2025 Season: The team experienced one of the toughest campaigns in its history, becoming the first side eliminated from playoff contention. They ended at the bottom of the table (10th place) with just 4 wins and 10 losses from 14 games, including five losses on their home ground at Chepauk.
2026 Season: Despite minor improvements, Chennai failed to break into the top four once again, finishing 8th in the standings with 6 wins and 8 losses out of 14 matches.
Three straight seasons without knockout cricket prompted the franchise management to move away from legacy structures. By entrusting Zaheer Khan with total tactical authority, including the call to dispense with a traditional batting coach—CSK are banking on a modern, dynamic framework to restore their winning legacy in IPL 2027.
Meanwhile, recently the legendary MS Dhoni touched base on the debate around his IPL future. Speaking at a healthcare event in Bengaluru, Dhoni shed light on his potential participation in the 2027 IPL season, making it clear that his final decision hinges entirely on upcoming medical evaluations before December. Having missed the entirety of the previous IPL campaign due to a persistent calf injury, a period during which CSK struggled to find consistency and missed out on the playoffs, Dhoni emphasised that physical fitness remains his primary benchmark. He candidly revealed that any choice to return for another season with the franchise will depend on what his fitness assessments reveal later this year, noting that he needs to evaluate if his body can sustain the intense demands of top-level competition.
"Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season," Dhoni said.
With a touch of his characteristic humor, Dhoni placed the burden of his recovery square on the shoulders of his medical staff. Equating his physical condition to an aging classic car, he lightheartedly suggested that keeping him match-ready for another run will require top-tier care and maintenance from his doctors.
"And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So all the pressure is on them," he added.
Physical challenges played a major role in halting Dhoni’s active participation on the field. Heading into the IPL 2026 season, Dhoni suffered a severe calf strain during early training sessions, which severely restricted his mobility and agility. Coupled with lingering, chronic knee issues that have bothered him in recent years, the injury ruled him out for the entirety of the campaign.
Although he underwent rehab and was later reported to be nearing recovery, Dhoni opted not to rush a mid-season comeback to avoid disrupting the squad's established team balance. Missing an entire IPL season due to physical limitations proved the toll age and recurring injuries have taken on his body, intensifying questions over his long-term playing future.