Sacking On The Cards! Teams That Might Replace Head Coaches Ahead Of IPL 2026

Abhinav Tyagi

Chandrakant Pandit - (Source : @Johns/X.com)Chandrakant Pandit - (Source : @Johns/X.com)

After two months and 74 matches, the 18th edition of IPL has finally come to an end. Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year-long trophy drought and beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the final. It was an enthralling season, full of surprises and shocks. 

While, on one hand, RCB got their hands on the trophy, the five-time winners Chennai Super Kings scripted embarrassment and finished 10th on the table for the first time in their history. Similarly, several other franchises such as SRH, who were the finalists in IPL 2024, finished sixth on the table. 

The players were under the scanner for their underwhelming performances, but the head coaches too are facing the heat as reports suggest that several franchises are looking for an overhaul in their coaching set-up for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, this article will look at the teams that might look to replace their head coach for IPL 2026.

1.Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans made their IPL debut in 2022. In the last four seasons, the two teams have had different trajectories. While Gujarat have won a trophy and ended up as runners-up in 2023, LSG managed to qualify for the playoffs just twice and that too under Andy Flower's regime.

Since Gambhir left for KKR in 2024, LSG hired former Australia coach Justin Langer as their head coach. However, in the last two seasons, Supergiants have failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished seventh in both IPL 2024 and 2025. 

In the latest events, there were reports that LSG are looking to sack Zaheer Khan as their mentor. Thus, a complete overhaul is expected for the upcoming season.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders

For Kolkata Knight Riders, they too had a disappointing season and finished 8th on the table. Notably, the Knight Riders were the champions in IPL 2024 where they lifted the trophy after 10 years. Head coach Chandrakant Pandit was hailed after the success and believed to be the right find for the club. 

However, Gautam Gambhir, who was KKR's mentor during IPL 2024, left the side for India job, and now with a disappointing campaign under Chandrakant Pandit, the fans have started to believe that it was Gambhir's effect that brought success to KKR than Pandit. 

Thus, it is to be believed that Pandit is most likely to be sacked for the upcoming season and reports suggest that Abhishek Nayar is most likely to take over as the coach. 

3.Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings is the only franchise in the history of IPL to have just two head coaches. Stephen Fleming has been with the side since 2009. Under his guidance, CSK have won the trophy five times. However, now it is believed that Fleming's ideas have been outdated and there is a need for a man with new ideas. Thus, it is expected that CSK might see a overall in coaching set-up as MS Dhoni's future is also undecided with the club.

In a first step, Suresh Raina is also likely to join CSK as their batting coach for IPL 2026. It is worth noting that CSK finished 10th on the table in IPL 2025 which happened for the first time in its history.