CSK part ways with strength coach Greg King in 2027 IPL overhaul
Synopsis
CSK's coaching purge is now complete — and it is sweeping. In a single day, the franchise cleared out its batting coach, bowling coach, assistant batting coach, physiotherapist, and strength and conditioning coach, while installing Zaheer Khan as head coach. It is the most comprehensive backroom reset in the franchise's 18-year IPL history.
Key Takeaways
Greg King has departed as CSK's strength and conditioning coach, confirmed on 26 October 2026 .
On the same day, Michael Hussey , Eric Simons , Rajiv Kumar , and Tommy Simsek also exited the franchise.
Zaheer Khan has been appointed as CSK's new head coach, with Gareth Batty joining as assistant coach.
Mohit Sharma is set to become bowling coach, replacing Simons who served CSK since 2018 .
Tommy Simsek ends an 18-year association with CSK dating back to the inaugural IPL season in 2008 .
Stephen Fleming , Eric Simons , and James Foster have all joined England's coaching setup following their CSK exits.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have parted ways with strength and conditioning coach Greg King, the franchise confirmed on Monday, 26 October 2026. The departure is the latest in a sweeping backroom overhaul as CSK reshapes its coaching staff ahead of the 2027 IPL season.
Coaching exits mount at CSK
King's exit came hours after CSK confirmed the departure of several other key support staff on the same day. Batting coach Michael Hussey, bowling coach Eric Simons, assistant batting coach Rajiv Kumar, and long-serving physiotherapist Tommy Simsek — who had been with the franchise since the inaugural IPL season in 2008 — were all confirmed to have left the setup.
In its official statement, CSK paid tribute to King's contributions: 'Every successful campaign is built on countless hours of preparation, discipline, and hard work. Greg King, your expertise in strength and conditioning has helped our Super Kings overcome physical challenges and perform at the highest level across seasons. We appreciate everything you have brought to the Yellow Army, Greg King.'
New faces taking charge
CSK has moved quickly to fill the vacancies. Former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan has been appointed as the new head coach, with former England off-spinner Gareth Batty joining as assistant coach. Former India pacer Mohit Sharma is set to take over as bowling coach, replacing Simons, who had been with the franchise since the 2018 IPL season.
Simons, Kumar and Simsek: end of long associations
Simons, a former South African bowler, previously served as India's bowling consultant between 2010 and 2012 — a period that included India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph on home soil. He has since joined England's Test team as bowling coach, alongside former CSK fielding coach James Foster. Stephen Fleming, who stepped down after spending 18 years as head coach of the Chennai-based franchise, is also now part of England's coaching setup.
Rajiv Kumar originally joined CSK in 2018 as fielding coach, replacing Steve Rixon, before transitioning to an assistant batting coach role. The former Jharkhand captain brought coaching experience from the United Kingdom and had also led the state side in first-class cricket, with MS Dhoni among the players who featured under his leadership.
Simsek's departure ends an 18-year association with the franchise, during which he worked closely with multiple generations of CSK players — including those who formed the side popularly dubbed 'Dad's Army' for its experienced roster.
What this overhaul signals
The scale of the changes — spanning fitness, batting, bowling, and medical departments simultaneously — points to a deliberate strategic reset rather than incremental adjustments. Notably, this comes after a season that saw CSK's on-field performances face renewed scrutiny. With Zaheer Khan steering a near-entirely new coaching group, the franchise is betting on fresh perspectives to maintain its record of competing at the top of the IPL table.
How quickly the new setup gels ahead of the 2027 IPL auction and pre-season will be closely watched across the cricketing community.
Point of View
But consistency can calcify into complacency — and the decision to bring in Zaheer Khan, an India great with limited head-coaching experience at this level, is a bold bet. The more telling detail is where the departing coaches landed: Simons, Foster, and Fleming all walked into England's setup, which suggests CSK was not merely letting go of staff but losing them to active competition. Whether Zaheer's reputation can translate into tactical authority in the high-pressure IPL environment is the question the 2027 season will answer.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CSK part ways with Greg King?
CSK parted ways with Greg King as part of a broader coaching overhaul ahead of the 2027 IPL season. The franchise thanked him for his contribution to the team's physical preparation and performances across multiple seasons, but did not cite specific reasons for the change.
Who are the new coaches at CSK for IPL 2027?
Former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan has been appointed as head coach, with former England off-spinner Gareth Batty joining as assistant coach. Former India pacer Mohit Sharma is set to become bowling coach.
Who else left CSK's coaching staff alongside Greg King?
On the same day as King's departure, CSK confirmed the exits of batting coach Michael Hussey, bowling coach Eric Simons, assistant batting coach Rajiv Kumar, and physiotherapist Tommy Simsek, who had served the franchise since the inaugural 2008 IPL season.
Where did the departing CSK coaches go?
Eric Simons joined England's Test team as bowling coach, as did former CSK fielding coach James Foster. Former head coach Stephen Fleming is also part of England's coaching setup after stepping down from CSK following 18 years with the franchise.
How long was Tommy Simsek with CSK?
Tommy Simsek served as CSK's physiotherapist for 18 years, from the franchise's first IPL season in 2008 until his departure in October 2026, making him one of the longest-serving members of any IPL franchise's support staff.
