Former England wicketkeeper James Foster is set to join Chennai Super Kings as their fielding coach for the IPL 2026 season under head coach Stephen Fleming. The former England wicketkeeper-batter will take charge of the fielding unit as the franchise looks to bounce back after finishing at the bottom of the table last season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 45-year-old represented England in seven Tests, 11 ODIs and five T20Is between 2001 and 2009 and is expected to take up the role later this month.
“We have been looking for a fielding coach. I am hopeful he will join us,” said CEO of the Super Kings franchise. Foster earlier worked with Kolkata Knight Riders as their fielding coach. He has worked with many franchises such as Desert Vipers, Northern Superchargers, the Peshawar Zalmi,etc
Apart from head coach Stephen Fleming, the Chennai Super Kings support staff includes several experienced names behind the scenes. Former Australia batter Mike Hussey continues to work with the team as batting coach, while Eric Simons looks after the bowling department. Sridharan Sriram serves as the assistant bowling coach, and Rajiv Kumar is responsible for the team’s fielding preparations. Russell Radhakrishnan handles managerial duties as the team manager.
Meanwhile, the franchise has already begun its pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign. A number of Indian players from the squad have joined the early training sessions, including veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni and youngster Ayush Mhatre. The team has been training at the franchise’s high-performance centre, focusing on fitness work, practice matches, and getting the squad into rhythm before the new season begins.
Players who are currently on national duty will link up with the squad a little later. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, both part of the Indian setup at the moment, are expected to join the camp once they complete their international commitments. Meanwhile, Shreyas Gopal will also report to the team after finishing his recent Ranji Trophy assignment.
Before joining CSK, James Foster enjoyed a solid career with England, making his mark as a dependable wicketkeeper-batter. Between 2001 and 2009, he played seven Tests, 11 ODIs, and five T20Is, earning praise for his sharp glovework and calm presence under pressure.
Foster had several memorable performances that stood out during his international career. In a 2006 Test against India in Kolkata, he scored an unbeaten 57 to help England secure a crucial draw, showing great composure in challenging conditions. Another highlight came in a 2005 ODI against Australia, where his quick reflexes behind the stumps combined with a brisk 34 runs to help England post a competitive total.
Foster also made an impact in franchise leagues, representing teams such as the Desert Vipers and Northern Superchargers. Over the years, he became known not just for his skills, but also for mentoring young playersa quality that CSK will be hoping benefits their squad as they prepare for IPL 2026.
CSK are five-time champions, but they had a disappointed campaign last season, finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins from 14 games. The franchise, eager to bounce back with a stronger campaign, has reportedly completed a major deal with Rajasthan Royals in what many are already calling one of the most dramatic trades in IPL history. In a surprising player exchange, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran have been moved in return for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.
Samson arrives at the franchise at the peak of his form and popularity. The stylish right-hander has been making headlines across the cricketing world, especially after his unbeaten 97 against West Indies, an innings that guided India into the semifinals and further strengthened his reputation as one of the most dependable performers in the current setup.
