Former India, Tamil Nadu, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has welcomed the decision to appoint Zaheer Khan as the new head coach of the team for IPL 2027. He also stated that the decision has the backing of CSK legend MS Dhoni and feels Zaheer would be a massive asset for CSK as head coach.

CSK parted ways with their five-time IPL-winning head coach Stephen Fleming after the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs in their third straight IPL season in 2026.

"It is clear that this decision is backed by MS Dhoni. It surely must have been his recommendation. An accomplished and skillful bowler like Zaheer Khan becoming head coach is a big positive for CSK. Dhoni's decisions will always be well thought out and often right. I believe this Dhoni-Zaheer partnership will get CSK back to winning ways. They have struggled in the last few seasons, but from next season, they'll stand tall again under Zaheer,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.

Zaheer Khan shares a good bond with MS Dhoni and played the second half of his career under the Ranchi lad and even helped India win the ICC World Cup in 2011.

Zaheer Khan was described by Badrinath as an Indian cricket legend on par with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rahul Dravid. Badrinath also spoke about the exceptional resilience and skills that Zaheer possessed as a cricketer.

"What I admired most about him was his ability to give it 100% irrespective of whether it was the old or new ball, a partnership was developing, or if the pitch was flat. I admired his attitude, ability, and tactical acumen. He used to bowl long spells and had great bowling fitness. He must be placed in the same legendary status as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni," said Badrinath.

Zaheer is India's sixth-leading wicket-taker and second among pacers with 597 wickets in 303 matches, including 311 wickets in Tests, 282 wickets in ODIs, and 17 T20I wickets.