CSK assistant bowling coach responds to rumours on Suresh Raina returning as batting coach

The five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, had a forgettable 2025 IPL campaign, but ended on a high with a clinical 83-run win over Gujarat Titans. Following the win in their final league match, many fans and ex-cricketers have opened up about former CSK star Suresh Raina, hinting at a possible return, this time as a coach.

CSK assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram was asked about the same during the post-match press conference, and replied by neither confirming nor denying the reports.

"I don't know. I have to ask him if he said that," Sriram said as quoted by India Today.

During a post-match discussion, Aakash Chopra questioned Raina if CSK's new batting coach's initials started with the letter "S" as the discussion turned towards the future of CSK's backroom staff. To which, Raina replied, "He has made the fastest fifty." Later to which Chopra said, "Chalo ho gaya bhai, you heard it first here."

Currently, former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey serves as CSK’s batting coach, a position he has held since 2018. Raina’s possible appointment may be due to a change in the coaching setup as the team looks to rebuild after finishing at the bottom of the IPL points table for the first time in franchise history.

Despite their poor season, CSK ended their campaign with a solid performance against the Gujarat Titans. Youngsters Ayush Mhatre (34 off 17), Urvil Patel (37 off 19), and Dewald Brevis (57 off 23) guided the team to post their highest total of the season, 230/5. Sriram credited the new faces who stepped up during a season hampered by injuries. 

"These are forced changes. There were injuries that happened, and we had to replace. Fortunately for us, the people who came in did well. I won't go back and dig too deep into it, saying we made mistakes at the auction table," Sriram added.