Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has backed Zaheer Khan’s appointment as Chennai Super Kings head coach. Khan was named as CSK’s head coach on Monday on a one-year contract, with an option to extend the deal in the future.

Srikkanth said CSK’s bowling has been struggling in the last few seasons and thus Khan’s appointment makes sense. The 1983 World Cup-winning player said MS Dhoni would have played a key role in roping Khan as the head coach.

CSK have also failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last three seasons of the IPL and Srikkanth reckons the franchise can make it to the final four by making some changes.

“CSK has a big weakness in bowling. If Zaheer Khan comes as a coach, he can fill in the weakness. He can just stop and study the team. See, Dhoni is going to be a part of CSK in some form or another, obviously. So, I have a feeling Dhoni himself probably would have recommended that you bring in Zak and we will mix it up. The team needs a little bit of tweaking, that’s all. I am sure if that little bit of tweaking is done properly and a little bit of luck, we will qualify in the top four. Now with Zak there, I am bullish about it,” Kris Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.

The former Indian captain said the five-time champions needed an Indian coach at the helm.

“For CSK, ideally, first and foremost, an Indian coach. He can spot the local talent. And he knows the Chennai wicket very well. He has played so many matches in Chennai. And the most important thing is, he knows inside out of IPL. So, he can communicate very well with the players, which is very important. He is a good communicator. And most importantly, very good person. And a good knowledge of cricket. He knows the game very well.”

As a player, Zaheer Khan scalped 102 wickets in 100 IPL matches while playing for RCB, MI and DC.