Former India batter Suresh Raina has approached Chennai Super Kings (CSK) about a coaching role, seeking a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise where he won four titles as a player. The 39-year-old has yet to receive a response from CSK, which has made several changes to its coaching staff ahead of IPL 2027.
Raina, who represented CSK between 2008 and 2021, is interested in contributing to the franchise beyond his playing career. His approach comes as the five-time IPL champions prepare for a new season with Zaheer Khan as the new Head Coach.
Raina awaits CSK’s decision on coaching role
Raina discussed his coaching ambitions during a conversation with former India and CSK teammate Ravichandran Ashwin on Ashwin’s YouTube channel _On Ash ki Baat_.
The former India cricketer told Ashwin: “I’ve played almost 16 or 17 years in the IPL. I’ve scored enough for us (CSK), played in finals, and handled a lot of high-pressure games. I’ve asked them (CSK), and now it’s on them to decide. It’s their team now – we (Raina and Ashwin) are both retired, so they have to make the call.”
Raina has worked as a cricket expert and commentator since retiring from professional cricket, maintaining his involvement in the sport beyond his playing career.
Raina added: “I would love to work with them in any capacity! For me, as long as I’m with the boys and they’re winning trophies, that’s what matters – because yellow is everything to us.”
Chennai Super Kings rebuild coaching staff for IPL 2027
CSK’s coaching structure has undergone significant changes ahead of the 2027 IPL season, with former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan replacing Stephen Fleming as Head Coach.
Mohit Sharma has been appointed Bowling Coach, while Gareth Batty and Albie Morkel have joined the franchise as Assistant Coaches.
The appointments establish a reshaped coaching group at Chennai, although no position for Raina has been confirmed.
Raina’s IPL record strengthens his coaching credentials
Raina remains CSK’s leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, having accumulated 5,529 runs in 200 matches for the franchise. A central figure in Chennai’s success during his playing career, he won four IPL championships and two Champions League T20 titles with the team.
Known widely as ‘Mr IPL’, the former left-handed batter was a prominent figure in Chennai’s IPL campaigns, featuring in numerous playoff matches and finals.
Reflecting on his history with the franchise, Raina noted: “We’ve done our part, won trophies, and lifted titles together. Now, they need to see how we can contribute to CSK. I’ve been playing since day one, so if they feel I’m capable.”
Focus on player development and handling pressure
Raina’s interest in coaching also draws on his international career, which included representing India in World Cups and competing across different formats of the game.
Raina explained: “I’ve played international cricket, the IPL, and World Cups, so I’ve experienced every side of the game. I know what kind of pressure you face, especially when playing so many finals—winning some, losing some. I’ve learned how to handle that pressure and how to get the best out of yourself mentally. We must have played nine or ten finals together and won four of them. I’m still the highest run-scorer in IPL playoffs, so I know what I’ve achieved in this tournament, and I just want to give that back to the players.”
The former India batter also shared his assessment of CSK’s current playing approach during the discussion with Ashwin.
He added: “They’re doing really well and playing an aggressive, different brand of cricket, Ash. But they still need someone who can guide them on managing stress and workload. It’s not about lecturing them on technique—it’s all about how to stay consistent season after season, and that’s what truly matters.”
With CSK’s revamped coaching staff in place ahead of IPL 2027, it remains to be seen whether the franchise will accommodate Raina within its new setup.
