Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden feels that the Chennai-based Dinesh Karthik is a “perfect” candidate to take over as Chennai Super Kings head coach.

Karthik, who is serving as the batting coach and mentor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been instrumental in the two-time defending IPL champion’s success. According to Hayden, who played for CSK between 2008 and 2010, the franchise should look within the State to replace Stephen Fleming.

“It’s something that I really hope the franchise gets right. Flemo did a fantastic job with M.S. Dhoni, that was such a strong engine room of CSK,” Hayden told The Hindu.

Hayden, the co-owner and head coach of Glasgow Cosmic in the European T20 Premier League, believes that Karthik is ready to take up the role at CSK.

“There’s been names that have been mentioned. One of them was Karthik. I think that it’s important to have a local coach. I know that a lot of franchises go for international coaches, but I feel the head coach role of a franchise as big as CSK should have that kind of local touch, even Chennai touch, which is why I thought Karthik would be perfect,” the 54-year-old said.

Fleming led Super Kings to five IPL titles and two Champions League crowns. But after three underwhelming campaigns, the Kiwi and the franchise decided to part ways.

“You can certainly have support staff who aren’t local, but what a shift! It was such a beautiful campaign that M.S. and Fleming had: so much success, equal titles with Mumbai [Indians], just such good legacy, but it’s a bold and good move. I’m looking forward to seeing who gets the job.”

Hardik Pandya could be at the centre of the Indian Premier League’s biggest trade story ahead of the 2027 season, with Mumbai Indians considering a significant overhaul after enduring its longest title drought in the competition.

While no trade has been officially confirmed, conversations around Hardik’s future had gathered momentum even before the conclusion of IPL 2026.

Chennai Super Kings has emerged as a possible next stop for the India all-rounder — and, given his profile, there would be no shortage of suitors if he does become available — while Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals have also been understood to be considering the Hardik option.

The speculation comes after three contrasting seasons for MI. After a disastrous 2024 campaign, the five-time champion recovered to reach the playoffs in 2025 before another underwhelming performance in 2026 prompted a comprehensive review within the franchise.

“Our post-season review is currently on and we are looking into all aspects. Contrary to reports, we are not engaged in conversations with regard to player trade. The same is only possible once the review is complete,” an MI spokesperson told The Hindu on Saturday. “A range of options and ideas are being evaluated, which require time… hence no decisions have been made.”

That review extends well beyond the captaincy. Sources close to the franchise indicate MI is evaluating its leadership group, coaching staff and overall cricket operations as it looks to rebuild a side that has failed to challenge consistently for the title in recent years.

Despite the growing buzz, Hardik’s exit is far from certain. His decision to part ways with MI’s talent management arm has fuelled speculation, but it is not being viewed as a complete break with the franchise.

Historically, MI has retained its core players for long periods and continues to be regarded as one of the strongest player-management ecosystems in Indian sport, making any move involving its captain a complex one.

The trade market, meanwhile, remains in its early stages, with most franchises still conducting post-season reviews before finalising their plans — meaning multiple scenarios will likely continue to circulate across the league in the coming weeks.

Whether Hardik leaves or not, one thing appears increasingly clear: Mumbai Indians is unlikely to head into IPL 2027 with the same core that has represented the franchise over the last three seasons.

And if the India all-rounder does switch teams, it could prove to be the defining move of this trade window.

Left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh praised former Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming for creating a pressure-free environment.

Reflecting on Fleming’s exit from CSK, Gurjapneet described the Kiwi as a coach who trusted players and encouraged them to rely on their strengths rather than burdening them with pressure. “I was with him for two years. He was very calm and easy to talk to because when we are losing, it’s difficult to talk to the coach sometimes. Everyone is under pressure. But he is a person who doesn’t put pressure on you.

“He has an X-factor. That’s why CSK was able to win five trophies (under him). I think he leaves everything to the players because he finds out the potential of every player. He always asked me to keep practising my strengths, gain confidence in practice and deliver in the matches. That’s what I tried to do,” Gurjapneet said on the sidelines of his TNPL franchise Madurai Panthers’ jersey launch event.

The 27-year-old also highlighted the understanding between Fleming and M.S. Dhoni, saying the duo ensured bowlers were used in roles that best suited them.

As the hunt for Chennai Super Kings’ new head coach is underway, there is a lot of speculation about who will take over from Stephen Fleming. Former CSK player Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan reckons that it would be ideal to promote someone from within the set-up, saying that Michael Hussey could be the right man for the job.

“The big question for the management is: do they want someone similar to Fleming or do they want to go in a new direction? Someone like Brendon McCullum who is more flamboyant and will embrace a high-risk approach,” said Vidyut. “More importantly, the new coach has to align with MS Dhoni’s thought process.”

Vidyut felt that in Hussey, CSK has a coach who is well-respected and understands the IPL ecosystem. “Hussey can be the head coach, but they can get some fresh support staff. He will understand what the team needs and is somebody who has evolved very well with the times. He has been in the system for a long time.”

The former TN opener, who has also been a scout for Super Kings, opined that the franchise could do well with having a Director of Cricket who works through the year. “CSK needs someone like Mo Bobat (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)… someone responsible for identifying the right talent and getting the best squad in the auction because the auction dynamics are very different to coaching,” he added. “In recent years, the other teams have been braver in all aspects, and CSK needs to be more dynamic in its approach.”

All praise

Talking about Fleming’s legacy, Vidyut heaped praise on the New Zealander.

“I remember the first year when he was just a player; after I got out pulling Glenn McGrath, he threw down 60 to 70 balls before the reverse fixture in Delhi to help me improve my pull shot on the front foot. That showed how much he was ready to help. Even when he became a coach, he ensured that he backed the players and did so not just by words but by action. Fleming and Dhoni ensured the team atmosphere was always good,” said Vidyut.

For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings’ West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.

With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.

However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team’s eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.

“You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren’t conducive to spin and it’s just about being disciplined as well,” he said.

“Having two fielders out in the power play. It’s not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It’s just about sticking to the plan,” he explained.

Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.

Hosein’s inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.

After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.

“…it’s a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it’s just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don’t get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that’s a damn good job you’ve done for the team,” said Hosein.

He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.

Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.

“I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you’re going to face. And like I say it’s just about making assessments as quickly as possible.

“You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn’t spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it’s just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter,” said Hosein.

He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.

“Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it’s gripping or whatever the case is.

“So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he’s getting some success,” he added.

The adage ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ stands true for Anshul Kamboj and his emergence as a bankable death-bowler.

From bowling just three deliveries in overs 16 to 20 in his first two IPL seasons to being the first to take 10 wickets in that phase in the 2026 edition, Kamboj’s evolution has come at the right time for Chennai Super Kings.

A captain, they say, must lead from the front. By that measure, Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a quiet start to the Indian Premier League 2026. But Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Eric Simons insists there is little concern within the camp over the skipper’s lean run.

“It’s a cliche that class is permanent. Tilak (Varma) had been struggling, hadn’t he? And then he has gone and played an incredible knock. We don’t doubt Rutu at all and he doesn’t doubt himself,” Simons said on Wednesday, on the eve of CSK’s marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.

Chennai Super Kings is likely to get a boost ahead of its next match against Delhi Capitals on April 11, with middle-order batter Dewald Brevis all set to be fit for the crucial fixture.

The South African batter hinted that he has recovered from a side strain during a sponsor event on Wednesday. “I can’t wait to see you on the 11th, every match everywhere we play,” he said when asked to give a message to the CSK fans.

The five-time champion, which finished last in 2025, has gotten off to a poor start this year, having lost its first three matches. Brevis scored 225 runs in six matches he played last year after joining the squad as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh.

I feel like Hamza Ali Mazari from Dhurandhar.

Two days before the RCB vs CSK match in Bangalore, I land in the den of the current champions. There is talk of the big clash everywhere I go — hotels, shopping streets and vegetable shops — even as the quest for tickets reaches a feverish high.

Like any good spy, I slowly slip into RCB-land, trying to find clues that will help the men in yellow on the big evening. Overhearing fan strategies and choice of players is a big part of this. The most interesting aspect of any cricket match, especially a big one, is the tonnes of speculation and planning that we fans put into it, fully knowing that it has absolutely zero bearing on what happens on ground.

This is the Southern Derby. This is one of the biggest clashes in the IPL — in terms of hype and fervour. This is RCB taking on the CSK in Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, a battle between an in-form men in red and a relatively-weak men in yellow for sporting glory.

Match day

As I board the Bengaluru Metro headed to Cubbon Park station, all eyes are on me.

In a packed coach dominated by about hundred Royal Challengers Bangalore jerseys, I stand out. I’m wearing a bright yellow Chennai Super Kings jersey and cap, somewhat an oddity in the sea of red.

“Are you a CSK supporter,” a fan asks, tapping my shoulder, “We’re the champions from last year. You guys don’t stand a chance.”

Outside the famous Chinnaswamy Stadium, the tremors increase. An RCB fan, armed with a red flag, has embossed the three letters of the team on her cheeks. “You made some bad decisions at the auction. This isn’t the mighty CSK team anymore,” she quips, as we make our way into the stadium.

Chinnaswamy Stadium — or the home of RCB — has a certain energy of its own. Buzzing with Bengaluru supporters, many of whom are inside way before the toss, the excitement is palpable.

The men in yellow have an average outing in the first hour, after which RCB’s T David decided to go berserk. They posted 250 runs, a monumental score for any team, leave alone an out-of-form CSK. The chase is anything but memorable, with the men in yellow losing wickets in a hurry — prompting the announcer and stadium DJ to go on an overdrive, with wry statements like, “This Chennai Express is headed fast, back to their own dressing room.”

Unfortunately for a handful of CSK fans like me, it indeed was fast.

The Metro ride back home was another sob story, with RCB fans offering commiserations. “Very weak team,” someone told me, even as I tried to tuck my bright yellow cap inside my pocket.

The Southern Derby had ended on a rather sad note. I was crestfallen. This Dhurandhar-like mission was anything but a blockbuster.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Cricket Limited on Monday (March 16, 2026) told the Madras High Court that it would approach music licensing agencies such as Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) and Novex Communications to obtain license for using Rajinikanth starrer Jailer and Coolie songs in its promos but the producer of those movies Sun TV Network Limited should not interfere in the process.

In an affidavit filed before Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, CSKCL Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan alias K.S. Viswanathan, 73, said, the cricketing company had been using songs, dialogues, and music from those movies in its promos for quite a few years but Sun TV Network did not raise any objection till March 1, 2026.