Former Indian cricketer turned coach Zaheer Khan’s teammate Aakash Chopra shared an interesting take on the pacer’s appointment as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach for IPL 2027. Zaheer has been appointed to a one-year contract with scope for extension in the future as well. Aakash Chopra said that Zaheer Khan was the right choice as he understood the administrative part, having been Director of Cricket at Mumbai Indians (MI) previously as well.
“If you understand the expectation of the administration and the pressure of the players on the team, if you understand the pressure of playing, then you can draw a very fine line. Or you can say that you can work very well. One more thing that I like about him is that he stands up for players. He is not someone who will bully them. I think he will work very well with Chennai. Because he understands the game, understands cricket, tactically also understands the game. In terms of what is the nerve of the game, what is the DNA, he understands that very well. Secondly, Chennai also needs people like this,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
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“He is good at management. I mean, he knows how to handle people very well. He knows who to put his hand on, who to give a little more time. Once again, good work ethics. If he feels that this guy has worked a little less, then he is ready to stand with him, that I am there, come with me. You live with me, I live with you. We both live on the field, we work together,” he stated again.
However, Aakash Chopra added that Zaheer Khan was someone who would work behind the scenes and not take the limelight. With MS Dhoni having a similar mindset, he shared that the combination would work well for CSK.
“He is not the one who comes to the forefront and takes the limelight. He sits in the background. He will stay in the background, he will keep working quietly, he will focus a lot on the processes. Process, process, Mahi, Zaheer. I think the philosophy is right and similar. So, I think it’s going to work very well,” he concluded.
