Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Mar 5: Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings are set to appoint former England wicketkeeper-batter James Foster as their fielding coach for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, according to reports.
Confirming the development, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the franchise has been in search of a fielding coach. “We have been looking for a fielding coach. I am hopeful he will join us,” he was quoted as saying.
Foster, 45, represented England in seven Tests, 11 ODIs and five T20Is between 2001 and 2009. Renowned for his sharp glovework behind the stumps, he has since carved out a strong reputation as a coach across various global T20 leagues.
He previously served as fielding coach with Kolkata Knight Riders and has also worked with Desert Vipers in the ILT20, Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, and Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, gaining wide-ranging franchise experience.
At CSK, Foster is expected to be part of an experienced support staff under head coach Stephen Fleming. The backroom team includes batting coach Mike Hussey, bowling coach Eric Simons, assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram, and fielding coach Rajiv Kumar, while Russell Radhakrishnan continues as team manager.
The move comes in the wake of a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where CSK finished at the bottom of the points table with just four wins in 14 matches. Determined to bounce back strongly, the franchise has already begun its pre-season camp at its high-performance centre in Chennai, with several Indian players in attendance.
Veteran wicketkeeper MS Dhoni is among those training at the camp, while players currently on international duty are expected to join later.
CSK had earlier made headlines with a high-profile trade involving Sanju Samson, signalling a rebuilding phase ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise has also roped in youngsters such as Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma, while parting ways with stalwart all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead the side as CSK aim to clinch a record sixth IPL title next season.