Mohit Sharma set to join CSK as bowling coach for IPL 2027
Synopsis
Mohit Sharma is heading back to CSK — this time as bowling coach, not player. His appointment is the first major move by new head coach Zaheer Khan as the franchise attempts a reset after three straight seasons without a playoff berth. For a team that hasn't reached the knockouts since winning the 2023 title, this rebuild carries real urgency.
Key Takeaways
Former India pacer Mohit Sharma , 38 , is set to join Chennai Super Kings as bowling coach for IPL 2027 .
He replaces Eric Simmons , who served under former head coach Stephen Fleming .
New CSK head coach Zaheer Khan made the call; Mohit is the first major support staff addition of his tenure.
Mohit played 48 IPL matches for CSK across four seasons and retired from cricket in December 2024 .
CSK have not reached the playoffs in the three most recent IPL seasons after winning the title in 2023 .
Further support staff announcements from the franchise are expected in the coming weeks.
Former India pacer Mohit Sharma is set to join Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the franchise's new bowling coach ahead of IPL 2027, returning to the yellow brigade where he spent four seasons as a player. The 38-year-old will reportedly take over the role vacated by Eric Simmons, who served under former head coach Stephen Fleming.
Key Appointment Under New Head Coach
'CSK head coach Zaheer Khan has decided on having Mohit Sharma on board for the bowling coach role for IPL 2027. A word on the rest of CSK's support staff appointments is expected to arrive in the coming weeks,' a source aware of the development said on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
Mohit's appointment marks the first major addition to Zaheer's support staff since the former India left-arm seamer was elevated to the head coach position following Fleming's exit. More support staff announcements from the franchise are expected in the coming weeks.
Mohit Sharma's History With CSK
Mohit shares a deep bond with CSK, having featured in 48 IPL matches for the franchise across four seasons. He also represented the team in 10 matches during two editions of the now-defunct Champions League T20. The right-arm pacer, who represented India in eight T20 internationals, last played in the IPL during the 2025 season before announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in December 2024.
His deep familiarity with CSK's culture and systems makes him a natural fit for a coaching role, particularly as the franchise looks to rebuild its bowling unit under fresh leadership.
CSK's Decline and the Case for a Reset
The timing of this appointment is significant. CSK secured their fifth IPL title in 2023, but the franchise has failed to reach the playoffs in each of the three most recent seasons — a prolonged slump that ultimately cost Fleming his job. Zaheer's elevation and Mohit's likely appointment signal a deliberate attempt to break from the old guard and inject new energy into the coaching setup.
Notably, this is one of the more consequential rebuilds in CSK's history, given that the franchise had maintained remarkable continuity in its support staff for over a decade.
What's Next for CSK's Support Staff
Beyond the bowling coach role, the franchise is expected to confirm further additions to its backroom team in the weeks ahead. The full shape of Zaheer's support staff will become clearer as the franchise prepares for the IPL 2027 auction and pre-season build-up.
Point of View
The franchise needed to change something — and it started at the top by replacing Fleming with Zaheer. But continuity-through-familiarity carries its own risk: the same franchise DNA that built the 2023 title team also presided over the slump. The real question is whether Zaheer's setup brings genuine tactical freshness or simply repackages the old guard in new roles. Mohit's appointment will matter only if it is paired with a clear plan to rebuild CSK's bowling attack, which has visibly aged in the post-Jadeja-Ashwin era of death-over cricket.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mohit Sharma and why is he joining CSK as bowling coach?
Mohit Sharma is a former India pacer who played 48 IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings across four seasons before retiring from cricket in December 2024. He is set to join CSK as bowling coach for IPL 2027 under new head coach Zaheer Khan, replacing Eric Simmons in that role.
Why did CSK replace their previous coaching staff?
Chennai Super Kings parted ways with long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming after the franchise failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs in three consecutive seasons following their 2023 title win. Zaheer Khan was appointed as the new head coach to lead a broader rebuild.
Who is the new head coach of CSK for IPL 2027?
Zaheer Khan, the former India left-arm pace legend, has been appointed as CSK's new head coach ahead of IPL 2027. Mohit Sharma's reported appointment as bowling coach is the first major support staff decision of his tenure.
When did Mohit Sharma retire from cricket?
Mohit Sharma retired from all forms of cricket in December 2024 after last featuring in the IPL during the 2025 season. The 38-year-old also represented India in eight T20 international matches during his playing career.
What are CSK's plans for their support staff ahead of IPL 2027?
Beyond confirming Mohit Sharma as bowling coach, CSK is expected to announce further support staff appointments in the coming weeks. The franchise is undergoing a broader backroom reset as it prepares for IPL 2027 under Zaheer Khan.
