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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finally found their new head coach after ending their long association with Stephen Fleming. CSK has appointed Zaheer Khan as the head coach. However, before Zaheer got the job, Hemang Badani was the front-runner and was very close to becoming the next CSK head coach.
Hemang Badani had already reached the final stage of talks with the franchise. However, money was not the main problem. The biggest issue was the length of the contract and the role that CSK was ready to offer him. This eventually changed the entire situation and opened the door for Zaheer Khan.
Albie Morkel’s job changed Hemang Badani’s CSK plans
As reported by the Times of India, Chennai Super Kings wanted to build an Indian-led support staff but was not ready to make a long-term commitment to its next head coach. The franchise was also not ready to give more than one role in the Super Kings family.
Hemang Badani was initially expected to work with at least three teams. But things changed after Albie Morkel became the head coach of Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.
After Morkel's appointment, Hemang Badani's expected role became smaller. He was mainly being considered for the CSK team in the IPL.
ZAK HERE FOR THE PRIDE! 🦁#WhistlePodu for the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings! 🥳💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 21, 2026
Read more, Link -https://t.co/v8muYn4yVA pic.twitter.com/eQChQ6yDEB
Short contract became the biggest problem for Hemang Badani
The contract length then became the biggest issue. CSK wanted to follow a year-by-year contract system. Badani, along with another former India cricketer who was also in the race, wanted at least a two-year contract. They felt they needed enough time to understand the squad, make changes, and build their own system before being judged.
They were also not fully comfortable with taking charge of a squad that they had not built themselves and then being judged immediately on its results. This became an important reason behind the talks not moving forward.
Hemang Badani had reportedly checked almost every box for CSK, and discussions had even reached the final stages over his salary and contract. But the short-term deal and limited role became the main roadblock. The situation reportedly led CSK to end discussions with Badani.
A source close to the development was quoted as saying by TOI, "Hemang Badani checked all the boxes, and negotiations were even in the final stages regarding money and contract duration. But he was initially given the impression that he would operate across at least three of the franchise's teams. Albie Morkel's appointment as the head coach of Joburg Super Kings in SA20 derailed the conversations with Badani; the contract duration was the real deal-breaker.”
Why Zaheer Khan’s appointment came as a surprise?
The decision to bring in Zaheer Khan has therefore surprised many people following the developments. Some within the industry feel Zaheer’s appointment is a possible short-term solution, especially with the next mega auction expected to bring major changes to the CSK squad. Amid this, India vs Japan T20I weather update: Toss delayed due to wet outfield at Sano.
The franchise is believed to be working around the mega-auction cycle. Coaching contracts are also understood to follow a similar pattern, with the possibility of an extension. However, the exact length of Zaheer's contract has not been officially revealed yet.
CSK’s mega auction plan behind the short-term approach
The CSK setup is reportedly to continue working around a cycle linked to the mega auction. The contracts are reportedly structured around one mega auction to the next, with an option for an extension. The exact terms of Zaheer's contract have not been officially revealed.
CSK was reportedly working with a coaching budget in the range of Rs 5 crore to Rs 7 crore. The franchise's Managing Director, KS Viswanathan, was contacted for details about the contract, but the exact agreement has not been disclosed.
The source added, “It's not a secret anymore that MS Dhoni is calling the shots with Rupa Gurunath. The way conversations ended with Badani, one more India cricketer and even an overseas candidate, makes it clear the franchise is not yet willing to think long-term. Additionally, all these contracts are cyclical in nature. Mega auction to mega auction with an option to extend, of course.”
