Mohit Sharma looks set to return to his former glory days with Chennai Super Kings, as he is likely to lead the bowling department of the franchise. After retiring from professional cricket last year, the former India seamer is believed to be joining CSK as their bowling coach.
The decision is coming in the wake of a significant overhaul at the IPL champions. CSK have been eliminated in three consecutive playoffs and they lost their veteran head coach Stephen Fleming earlier this year.
Zaheer Khan, who has been named as Fleming’s replacement for IPL 2027, is now forming up his coaching squad. CSK chief executive Kasi Viswanathan has mentioned that Sharma is the ideal pick for the bowling role, but the formalities are yet to be finalised.
Sharma’s appointment would be significant due to his knowledge of the franchise. As a player, he played in 48 IPL matches with CSK and played four seasons in the IPL. He also made 10 appearances for the franchise in the Champions League T20s.
The 38-year-old’s playing days came to a close after the 2025 IPL season, and he had just announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in December last year. He has played eight T20Is for India in the past.
The coaching change will also bring in a new coach for the bowlers’ section, replacing Eric Simmons. Sharma will thus be transitioning from a playing association with CSK to a coaching job in the same team.
Zaheer’s support staff is still being put together. The next batting coach has yet to be determined with three or four candidates reportedly being considered. He filled that role until the 2026 season and had been rumoured to be the next man in charge prior to Zaheer’s appointment.
The biggest challenge for CSK is to come back after a prolonged spell of low form. They won their last IPL title in 2023 and have not qualified for playoffs in the last three IPL seasons.
In the event of his appointment, Sharma’s instance will be the first tangible evidence of Zaheer’s coaching organization. With the team in the process of their next phase, the former CSK bowler will now have a chance to work on the other side of the game.