CSK parted ways with Stephen Fleming after 18 years of collaboration.
Dhoni is reportedly pushing CSK to appoint an Indian head coach, and Badani fits the bill, having previously coached Delhi Capitals in the IPL and his success in other T20 leagues.
This comes after CSK and Stephen Fleming parted ways after the yellow franchise failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs for the third straight season in 2026.
As per an Indian Express report, CSK’s CEO and MD, Kasi Viswanathan, has revealed that the responsibility of finding the new head coach was entrusted to MS Dhoni. And the five-time IPL-winning captain has pushed for CSK to have an Indian as head coach, though there were indications early on that a foreign coach might be hired.
There is a school of thinking at CSK that favors an overseas hire because Fleming has produced consistent success and other teams have found success under foreign coaches. However, there aren't many possibilities when it comes to IPL experience in particular.
Having parted ways with Delhi Capitals, Badani has also tasted success in overseas T20 leagues, having won titles in the SA20, ILT20, and LPL. Given the franchise’s struggles at home in Chepauk, Badani, who played for Tamil Nadu, also knows the conditions well.
This bodes well for CSK, who once used to have Chepauk as a fortress but lost way too many home games in the previous few seasons.
MS Dhoni is reportedly playing a huge role in mapping out a new roadmap for Chennai Super Kings, who have remained mum about the potential candidates. Dhoni has also suggested that CSK must have a head coach who is exclusive to them for the IPL, with no other commitments overseas.
Fleming, besides coaching CSK, was also in charge of the Johannesburg Super Kings in the SA20 and the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. However, Dhoni wants the new head coach to solely focus on Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
This restriction may offer a significant challenge for Badani, who presently coaches Southern Brave in The Hundred and Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, as well as consulting for Seattle Orcas. A restriction like this could reduce his revenue, and it's unclear whether CSK will compensate for it.
Dhoni's desire for a coach entirely focused on CSK boils down to the magnitude of the rebuild, which he wants the next coach to guide through the major auction. Across consecutive auctions, including the mega sale ahead of the 2025 season, CSK deviated from the strategy that had made them successful.
CSK invested heavily in uncapped players instead of experienced names before the IPL 2026, but that approach didn’t work, and whoever replaces Fleming will inherit the squad he built.
On the rest of the support staff, Viswanathan said that decision would be left to the incoming head coach.
(Indian Express report)