Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden feels Chennai-based Dinesh Karthik is the ‘perfect’ candidate to take over as the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) next head coach.
Karthik, currently the batting coach and mentor at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been instrumental in the defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champion’s two-peat success.
According to Hayden, who played for CSK between 2008 and 2011, the franchise should look within the State for the ideal candidate to replace Stephen Fleming, who ended his long association with the side last month.
“It’s something that I really hope that the franchise gets right. Flemo did a fantastic job with M. S. Dhoni; that was really such a strong engine room of CSK,” Hayden told Sports stars.
Hayden, who is currently involved with Glasgow Cosmic as the co-owner and head coach in the European T20 Premier League, felt Karthik is ready to take on the role at CSK.
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“There are names that have been mentioned; one of them was Dinesh Kartik, who I think is probably ready to take on that kind of role. I think it’s important to have a local coach.
“I know that a lot of franchises do go for international coaches, but I feel like 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 Dinesh would be perfect,” the Aussie said.
Fleming had been at CSK’s helm for close to 16 years, winning five IPL titles and two Champions League crowns. But after a couple of underwhelming campaigns, the Kiwi stepped down, which Hayden called a ‘bold move’.
“You can certainly have support staff that aren’t local, but what a shift… (It was) such a beautiful campaign that MS and Flemm had. So much success, equal title holds with Mumbai (Indians), just such a good legacy, but it’s a bold and good move, and I’m looking forward to seeing who gets the job,” he said.
Published on Aug 23, 2026
