CSK Bid Farewell to Rajiv Kumar, Eric Simons and Michael Hussey Ahead of IPL 2027
Chennai Super Kings have confirmed the departures of Rajiv Kumar, Eric Simons and Michael Hussey from their coaching setup ahead of IPL 2027. The five-time champions shared farewell posts for all three coaches as new head coach Zaheer Khan continues rebuilding the support staff.
The latest posts on CSK’s official Instagram account formally acknowledge the contributions of three long-serving members of the franchise.
Hussey and Simons had already been linked with confirmed exits earlier in October. The farewell to Rajiv Kumar is particularly significant because previous reports had suggested he might continue under Zaheer Khan.
CSK Coaching Staff Changes Ahead of IPL 2027
Chennai Super Kings have made several changes since Stephen Fleming ended his 18-year association with the franchise in July 2026.
| Coach | Previous CSK role | Latest status |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Fleming | Head coach | Departed |
| Michael Hussey | Batting coach | Departed |
| Eric Simons | Bowling coach and consultant | Departed |
| Rajiv Kumar | Batting and fielding coach | Departed |
| James Foster | Fielding coach | Joined England’s Test setup |
| Zaheer Khan | New head coach | Appointed |
| Mohit Sharma | New bowling coach | Appointment confirmed |
| Gareth Batty | Incoming assistant coach | Surrey confirmed move |
The departures mark a major change from the coaching group that helped Chennai become one of the IPL’s most successful franchises.
However, the complete support staff for IPL 2027 has not yet been announced.
Rajiv Kumar Leaves Chennai Super Kings After Long Association
Rajiv Kumar’s departure ends an association that began in 2018.
The former Jharkhand cricketer joined CSK as fielding coach when the franchise returned to the IPL after its two-year suspension.
He also shared a long connection with MS Dhoni, having captained him during their domestic cricket careers.
Rajiv later worked across Chennai’s batting and fielding departments, supporting player development and preparation.
His exit is especially notable because reports published after Zaheer Khan’s appointment had suggested that Rajiv and Sridharan Sriram could continue in the new coaching setup.
CSK’s farewell post now makes Rajiv’s departure clear.
The franchise has not named a direct replacement for his combined batting and fielding responsibilities.
Michael Hussey’s CSK Batting Coach Tenure Ends
Michael Hussey had already been informed that he would not continue as Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach for IPL 2027.
His association with CSK stretches back to the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
As a player, Hussey became an important part of Chennai’s top order and won the IPL 2013 Orange Cap after scoring 733 runs.
He returned as batting coach in 2018 and worked closely with Fleming during CSK’s championship-winning campaigns in 2018, 2021 and 2023.
Hussey also developed a strong working relationship with Ruturaj Gaikwad and other members of the batting group.
His departure leaves Chennai needing a new batting-coaching structure under Zaheer Khan.
The earlier Michael Hussey CSK exit report covers his playing career, coaching contribution and departure.
Eric Simons Departs as Mohit Sharma Takes Over Bowling Duties
Eric Simons was another important member of Fleming’s coaching team.
The former South African cricketer worked with CSK’s fast bowlers for several seasons, contributing to match preparation, bowling plans and player development.
His departure had already been reported before Chennai released its latest farewell post.
Simons has since joined Stephen Fleming’s England Test coaching setup as a fast-bowling coach.
Meanwhile, former India pacer Mohit Sharma has been selected to take over Chennai’s bowling-coaching responsibilities.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan previously confirmed that Mohit was recommended by Zaheer Khan.
Mohit represented Chennai Super Kings as a player and was part of the franchise’s earlier successful seasons.
His appointment gives Zaheer an experienced Indian fast bowler who already understands the CSK environment.
Gareth Batty Set to Join CSK’s New Coaching Staff
Another important development emerged on October 26.
English county club Surrey officially confirmed that Gareth Batty will leave the club to join Chennai Super Kings as an assistant coach for IPL 2027.
Batty has worked as Surrey’s head coach since 2022 and guided the team to three consecutive County Championship titles from 2022 to 2024.
The official Surrey announcement confirms his move to Chennai.
Earlier media reports suggested he could take over batting-coaching responsibilities after Hussey’s departure.
However, Surrey’s announcement identifies him as an assistant coach. CSK have not yet publicly confirmed his detailed responsibilities within Zaheer’s staff.
That distinction matters because Batty’s arrival is confirmed by Surrey, but the final CSK batting-coach designation remains unclear.
Why Chennai Super Kings Are Rebuilding Their Coaching Team
The changes follow three consecutive IPL seasons without a playoff appearance.
CSK last won the championship in 2023 under Stephen Fleming.
| IPL season | CSK finish |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Champions |
| 2024 | Fifth |
| 2025 | Tenth |
| 2026 | Eighth, 6 wins from 14 matches |
Chennai improved slightly in 2026 after finishing last in 2025, but six victories were not enough to reach the playoffs.
Zaheer Khan was appointed head coach in September and given responsibility for building his own support staff.
The departures of Hussey, Simons and Rajiv show how extensively that process is changing the franchise’s previous coaching structure.
The current Chennai Super Kings IPL 2027 team page tracks the new coaching setup alongside captaincy and squad developments.
What the Coaching Overhaul Means for CSK’s IPL 2027 Squad
CSK must now prepare for the December mini auction while the coaching transition continues.
Zaheer will oversee a player group featuring Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and several developing Indian bowlers.
One immediate priority will be improving batting consistency.
The new batting staff must identify clearer roles for the top order and finishers, while Mohit Sharma works with Chennai’s pace attack.
The management must also assess which players fit the approach Zaheer wants to introduce.
The reported November 15 retention deadline comes before the IPL 2027 auction, currently planned for December 16 in Goa.
No player has been officially released simply because a coach has departed. The final IPL 2027 retained and released players lists will be separate announcements.
Who Is CSK’s Head Coach for IPL 2027?
Zaheer Khan is Chennai Super Kings’ confirmed head coach for IPL 2027. He replaced Stephen Fleming, who departed in July 2026 after guiding the franchise to five IPL championships.
Mohit Sharma will handle bowling responsibilities, while Gareth Batty is joining as an assistant coach.
The remaining specialist coaching appointments and exact responsibilities are still being finalised.
What Happens Next for Chennai Super Kings?
Chennai Super Kings must complete their coaching appointments and finalise retention decisions before the IPL 2027 mini auction.
As of October 26, 2026, Rajiv Kumar, Eric Simons and Michael Hussey have received official farewell posts from CSK. Zaheer Khan is the new head coach, Mohit Sharma is joining the bowling department, and Surrey has confirmed Gareth Batty’s move to Chennai.
The overhaul ends several long-running coaching relationships and establishes a new support structure as CSK aim to return to the IPL playoffs in 2027.
