Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are currently in the process of selecting a new head coach for IPL 2027, following the departure of Stephen Fleming after 18 years with the team. Despite being five-time IPL champions, CSK have not yet identified a successor to Fleming.
Among the names circulating as potential candidates are Eoin Morgan and Michael Hussey. However, Matthew Hayden, a former CSK opener and Australian cricket legend, has suggested that Dinesh Karthik, the current mentor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), would be the ideal choice to take over the head coach role at CSK.
Dhoni did not play a single game for CSK in IPL 2026, and his input could play a major role in who becomes their next head coach.
I think it’s important to have a local coach,” Hayden said, in an interaction with Sportstar . “I know that a lot of franchises do go for international coaches, but I feel like the head coach role of a franchise as big as CSK should have that kind of local touch, even Chennai touch, which is why I thought Dinesh would be perfect,” he added. “There are names that have been mentioned; one of them was Dinesh Karthik, who I think is probably ready to take on that kind of role. What role legendary captain MS Dhoni will have with CSK is another aspect the franchise needs to consider.
