Chennai Super Kings on Monday announced the appointment of former England wicket-keeper James Foster as their new fielding coach for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League. Support staff is already well experienced and Foster will work under the supervision of head coach Stephen Fleming as the franchise gears up for the new season.
Between 2001 and 2009, Foster had a respectable international career with the England cricket team as a wicketkeeper. He retired from professional cricket in 2018 but has since accumulated an impressive coaching resume involving various franchise leagues and international teams. His growing reputation in the coaching circuit was recently underlined by him leading the Desert Vipers to glory for head coach of the International League T20 earlier this year. Foster, who will bolster T20 leagues around the world, between roles as assistant coach of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Foster is no stranger to the IPL environment as he has previously worked with Kolkata Knight Riders in a dual capacity of fielding coach and assistant coach. CSKs team would benefit from IMAM’s knowledge of the tournament to improve their standards as their fielding and above 18 overs performance doesn’t meet their standard At Chennai Super Kings, Foster will work alongside batting coach Michael Hussey and bowling coach Eric Simons. He will also be collaborating with the team’s wicketkeepers, including legendary captain MS Dhoni and new recruit Sanju Samson.
CSK will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. The five-time champions would be looking to put their disaster of IPL 2025 behind them after finishing at the bottom with just four victories in 14 matches. Foster has also joined the coaching staff of the franchise hoping to reinforce their preparations going into next season and regain competitive form.
