Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his views on the former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan’s appointment as the new Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach for the forthcoming IPL 2027 season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra asserted that Zaheer has good enough experience in administration, having worked with the Mumbai Indians in the past, adding that he is not someone who would go hard on players.
“If you understand the expectations of the administration and the pressure of the players on the team, if you understand the pressure of playing, then you can draw a very fine line. Or you can say that you can work very well. One more thing that I like about him is that he stands up for players. He is not someone who will bully them. I think he will work very well with Chennai. Because he understands the game, understands cricket, tactically also understands the game. In terms of what is the nerve of the game, what is the DNA, he understands that very well. Secondly, Chennai also needs people like this,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
It’s worth noting that Zaheer worked in different roles for Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While he was the Director of Cricket and Global Head at MI from 2018 to 2022, he was later roped in by LSG as team mentor from 2024 to 2025.
“He is good at management. I mean, he knows how to handle people very well. He knows who to put his hand on, who to give a little more time. Once again, good work ethic. If he feels that this guy has worked a little less, then he is ready to stand with him, that I am there, come with me. You live with me, I live with you. We both live on the field, we work together,” he added.
“He is not the one who comes to the forefront and takes the limelight. He sits in the background. He will stay in the background; he will keep working quietly; he will focus a lot on the processes. Process, process, Mahi, Zaheer. I think the philosophy is right and similar. So, I think it’s going to work very well,” he concluded.
Zaheer has been handed a one-year contract by the Chennai-based franchise. However, according to reports, CSK had approached former England skipper Eoin Morgan to replace Stephen Fleming as head coach, but he eventually rejected the offer.
