Chennai Super Kings are closing in on appointing their next head coach, with former Delhi Capitals coach Hemang Badani emerging as the leading contender following MS Dhoni's push for an Indian-led coaching setup. The top coaching role at the franchise became vacant after long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming ended his historic tenure with CSK at the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season. The leadership change comes on the heels of a disappointing campaign that saw Chennai fail to qualify for the IPL playoffs for a third consecutive year.
According to reports, CSK CEO and Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan directly entrusted Dhoni with the responsibility of finding Fleming’s successor. Although the franchise management initially kept its options open regarding both Indian and overseas candidates, Dhoni’s strong preference for a domestic coach has placed Badani in pole position. Badani’s extensive background as a former Tamil Nadu cricketer gives him deep familiarity with pitch conditions at Chepauk, while his coaching profile includes managing the Delhi Capitals for two seasons as well as securing championship titles across the SA20, ILT20, and Lanka Premier League (LPL).
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However, a pivotal condition stipulated by Dhoni could add complexity to the final negotiations. Dhoni has reportedly insisted that any incoming head coach must work exclusively with Chennai Super Kings, avoiding conflicting assignments in other franchise tournaments worldwide so they can focus entirely on restructuring the team. This single-team clause poses a hurdle for Badani, who currently holds multi-league commitments as coach of Southern Brave in The Hundred, Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, and a consultant role with Seattle Orcas.
Fleming’s exit marks the end of an era for the Chennai franchise, where he served as head coach since 2009 and guided the side to five IPL titles alongside Dhoni. As CSK prepares to navigate a new chapter, the franchise management has held multiple rounds of internal discussions to determine whether to enforce the exclusivity clause for Badani or explore alternative coaching options to revive the team's fortunes.
