CSK approached Ashish Nehra before Zaheer Khan for head coach role, reveals Ashwin

Chennai Super Kings held talks with Ashish Nehra for the head coach position before settling on Zaheer Khan ahead of IPL 2027, according to a disclosure by R Ashwin. Zaheer Khan’s appointment was confirmed on September 21, on a one-year contract, filling the vacancy left by Stephen Fleming, who departed after 16 years and five IPL titles with the franchise to take up the England red-ball coaching role in July 2026.

Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel recently, Ashwin stated that CSK held conversations with multiple candidates during their search.

“There have been conversations with several coaches. In fact, if I’m not wrong, I think Ashish Nehra was also at some stage in the frame. Ashish Nehra doesn’t need to leave GT. He’s running an absolutely successful franchise in GT,” the veteran said.

Nehra, who is the current head coach of Gujarat Titans, guided that franchise to the IPL title in 2022 and to the final in both 2023 and 2026, establishing himself as one of the more prominent coaching figures in the league.

Why did talks with other candidates not progress?

Ashwin indicated that CSK’s search extended well beyond Nehra. He noted that two other Indian legends and several foreign coaches were also considered during the process, though none of those deals were finalised. The legendary cricketer explained the reasons some foreign candidates did not proceed.

“There were a few foreigners whose contracts happened, but the deal couldn’t happen for many reasons. The reasons were very different. In some cases, they were not ready to take a one-year contract. In fact, in one case I know well, the deal was almost done, but his thing was that he couldn’t work in international tournaments other than CSK, because of which he could suffer financially,” Ashwin added.

“I think there are two other Indian legends whose contracts also happened,” he added without naming the individuals concerned. The identities of those candidates remain unconfirmed and have been omitted from this article accordingly.

What does Ashwin make of Zaheer Khan’s appointment?

Zaheer Khan brings considerable administrative experience to the CSK role. He joined Mumbai Indians in 2018 as Director of Cricket and was elevated to Global Head of Cricket Development in 2022. He subsequently served as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants across the 2024 and 2025 seasons before taking up the CSK position.

Ashwin was unambiguous in his assessment of the final choice. He said on YouTube:

“I think the choice of Zaheer Khan is fabulous. I do not doubt it. He ticks all the boxes. Smart man, knows cricket, knows bowling tactics well, and will blend in nicely. His relationship with Dhoni is very good. Besides, he is an Indian legend who can work with the boys… This will be a new beginning for Zaheer Khan as head coach. But it will be very similar. Dhoni and Zaheer Khan’s rapport is good. I think you can see the team going in one direction; there won’t be a need to pull here and there,” the former India cricketer added.

Zaheer Khan’s one-year contract with CSK covers the IPL 2027 season.