Dinesh Karthik would be really good choice as CSK's next coach: Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden has named Dinesh Karthik as a strong candidate to replace Stephen Fleming as Chennai Super Kings coach. He said Karthik's Tamil Nadu roots and coaching exposure could help the franchise in transition.Dinesh Karthik as next CSK coach: Matthew Hayden backs ex-India keeper to replace Stephen Fleming (Courtesy: Getty Images)Former Chennai Super Kings opener Matthew Hayden has backed Dinesh Karthik to succeed Stephen Fleming as the franchise's next head coach, believing the former India wicketkeeper-batter's Tamil Nadu roots could give him an important edge.Fleming ended his long association with CSK earlier this year after taking up the England head coach position, leaving the five-time IPL champions searching for a successor. Former England captain Eoin Morgan has emerged as one of the names linked with the vacancy, but Hayden believes Karthik would also be a strong candidate for the role."Well, I feel like Dinesh Karthik would be a really good choice for CSK. He has been kind of under the tutelage of other world-class coaches, including names like Andy Flower, for example, who have had very successful playing and coaching careers. But being a local Tamil boy, I feel like that is a really important piece," Hayden said on the Wisden Cricket podcast."It's not a must have, but for Tamil Nadu cricket in particular, I just felt like CSK has always been backed by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. So I feel like some local flavour would be the next best step for CSK." Karthik has also begun building his coaching credentials since retiring from international cricket in 2024. He joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as their batting coach and mentor ahead of the 2025 IPL season, working alongside Andy Flower, who was the franchise's head coach at the time.The former Australia opener also highlighted the difficulties overseas coaches can face in the league, particularly when trying to communicate effectively with younger players who are still finding their feet at the highest level. "CSK notoriously picks from afar. You know, they drive over fish to get to fish. There have been very few players that have actually come from Tamil Nadu itself. They play everywhere else," Hayden said."But, I mean, our side at Gujarat (Titans), it's full of Tamil boys, which we love because they love the game."Hayden believes having someone with a strong local connection could help a franchise navigate those communication challenges, especially when dealing with players who are yet to establish themselves among the senior members of the squad."The one thing I'll say is it's very difficult to be a foreign coach in the IPL as well. I give great credit to those that do it because there are some natural language barriers, especially not so much the seasoned campaigners and veterans of Indian cricket, but which sides are littered with," he said."But to have that impact with the next level players, where it's difficult to communicate at times, is a little frustrating. So having that local element that can be almost a translator, who can manage up and manage down with no language barriers, I think that's a big factor in the IPL."CSK are entering a period of transition after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. The franchise, which won its fifth title in 2023, finished eighth in the points table the following season and failed to qualify for the playoffs.Ruturaj Gaikwad's side endured a difficult campaign, while MS Dhoni did not feature in a single match. As CSK look to rebuild and chart a new course, appointing Fleming's replacement will be among the franchise's most important decisions ahead of the next season.Hayden's comments come after former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also offered his view on the coaching vacancy, identifying Eoin Morgan as a possible successor to Fleming."I have a feeling Eoin Morgan might be coming. His name is doing the rounds strongly. Early discussions are on, no doubt. In this, two scenarios: Eoin Morgan - will he take it this year? Or someone else builds the team in a mini auction, and he takes it later?" Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 5, 2026 14:13 IST