Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The five-time IPL champions announced the appointment on Monday, with Zaheer taking over from long-serving coach Stephen Fleming.

Fleming stepped down from his CSK role in July and subsequently took charge as head coach of the England men’s Test team. Zaheer’s appointment marks his first stint as a head coach at any level.

CSK announced the move on social media with the message welcoming Zaheer as the team’s new head coach.

Zaheer Khan’s coaching experience

Zaheer has previously held senior coaching and mentoring roles in the IPL. He served as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants from August 2024 to September 2025.

He was also initially named India’s bowling coach in 2017 after Anil Kumble became head coach. Following Ravi Shastri’s appointment later that year, Zaheer’s role was changed to bowling consultant.

As a player, Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is. He was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup, taking 21 wickets during the tournament.

Stephen Fleming’s CSK exit

Fleming had two coaching stints with Chennai Super Kings, from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2026. He left the franchise in July this year to become England’s men’s Test coach, succeeding former New Zealand teammate Brendon McCullum.

Zaheer will now oversee CSK as the franchise prepares for IPL 2027. The appointment brings an Indian former international cricketer into the team’s head coaching role following Fleming’s departure.

Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking batting performance for India against Afghanistan in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The left-handed opener smashed a century in just 30 balls, becoming the fastest Indian batter to score a hundred in men’s T20 Internationals.

Abhishek eventually made 108 off 34 balls, with nine fours and 11 sixes. His century came in the ninth over of India’s innings and surpassed the previous Indian record of 35 balls, held by Rohit Sharma.

Abhishek Sharma century breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

Abhishek brought up his hundred from 30 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s previous record of a 35-ball T20I century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017.

The milestone also placed Abhishek third overall on the list of fastest T20I centuries. The two faster centuries in men’s T20I cricket belong to Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who scored a 27-ball century, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who reached his hundred in 29 balls. 

Among batters from Full Member nations, Abhishek’s 30-ball century moved him to the top of the list. The previous mark was 33 balls, achieved by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen.

Abhishek Sharma dominates the powerplay

Abhishek’s attack began from the opening overs. He reached his half-century in only 16 balls before accelerating further.

During the first six overs, Abhishek scored 76 runs from 22 balls while remaining unbeaten at the end of the Powerplay. That became the highest individual score by a batter in the first six overs of a men’s T20I, according to NDTV and ICC.

India also reached 100 without losing a wicket during the Powerplay, with Abhishek and Sanju Samson combining to take India to 100 without loss at the end of the first six overs. 

Abhishek dismissed for 108

Abhishek’s record-breaking innings ended at 108 when Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan dismissed him just before the halfway stage of India’s innings.

His final score came from 34 deliveries and included nine fours and 11 sixes, giving him a strike rate of more than 300.

Sanju Samson also contributed to India’s fast start before continuing his innings after Abhishek’s dismissal. The opening pair had put India in a strong position during the early overs.

India’s series position

India entered the third T20I with an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning both of the first two matches against Afghanistan by seven wickets.

Abhishek had already made 82 in the opening match and 39 in the second T20I before producing his record century in the final game.

The third match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with Afghanistan winning the toss and choosing to field.

What record did Abhishek Sharma break?

Abhishek Sharma broke Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter. Rohit had scored his century in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017, while Abhishek reached the landmark in 30 deliveries against Afghanistan.

The BCCI on Wednesday announced India’s 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming home series against West Indies. Shubman Gill has been named captain, while KL Rahul will serve as vice-captain.

The squad also includes veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, confirming their continued availability for India’s ODI plans.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir are among the other batters selected, while Dhruv Jurel has also been included in the squad.

India ODI squad vs West Indies: Full list

The 15-member squad announced by the BCCI is:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• Ruturaj Gaikwad
• KL Rahul (Vice-Captain)
• Dhruv Jurel
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Prasidh Krishna
• Gurnoor Brar
• Mohammed Siraj
• Auqib Nabi
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Naman Dhir

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retain their places

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both part of the ODI squad despite discussions around their future in the 50-over format.

Rohit’s ODI future had been a subject of speculation ahead of the selection meeting. He recently said that the October 2027 World Cup was still far away when asked whether he would feature in the tournament.

With both senior batters selected, they remain part of India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series.

Shubman Gill to lead India

Shubman Gill will continue as India’s ODI captain, while KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain for the series.

Shreyas Iyer, who has previously served as Gill’s deputy, is unavailable for the ODI series because he will be involved with India’s Asian Games campaign.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is among the players available to fill the middle-order role in Iyer’s absence.

Ravindra Jadeja returns to ODI squad

Ravindra Jadeja has also been included in the ODI squad after missing India’s previous ODI series in England.

Kuldeep Yadav is another notable selection in the bowling group. The pace attack includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi.

Rishabh Pant not included

Rishabh Pant has not been selected in India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series. Instead, Dhruv Jurel has been included alongside KL Rahul.

Pant has been named captain of the Rest of India squad for the upcoming Irani Cup against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir.

Nitish Kumar Reddy moved to ODI squad

Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been included in the ODI team after being withdrawn from India’s Asian Games squad.

The BCCI confirmed that Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the Japan T20I and Asian Games because of a side strain, with Vipraj Nigam named as his replacement.

India vs West Indies ODI series schedule

The three-match ODI series will begin on September 27.

The ODI series will be followed by five T20Is, beginning October 6.