Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram has no idea about the growing speculation of Suresh Raina’s return into the franchise’s set-up as the batting coach.
Notably, during CSK’s final outing of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) against Gujarat Titans (GT), Raina, known as 'Chinna Thala', hinted at a possible coaching stint with the team in 2026.
While on air during the commentary, Suresh Raina dropped a cryptic line, suggesting that CSK might be eyeing a new batting coach. Aakash Chopra, his co-commentator, probed with a cheeky question - "Does his name start with S?" Raina, never one to shy away, alluded to the fastest fifty for CSK in the IPL history. For those who know, that is Raina himself.
Also read: IPL 2025: Suresh Raina Set for CSK Return in 2026? Here's What We Know
CSK Assistant Bowling Coach Reacts to Suresh Raina’s CSK Coaching Tease
When Sriram was asked about the possibility of Raina’s comeback in CSK as the batting coach in the post-match press conference, he responded with a shrug.
"I don’t know. I have to ask him if he said that," said Sriram as quoted in the post-match presser.
CSK, five-time IPL champions, finished at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table for the first time in their history. With just four wins in 14 games, the franchise is expected to rethink its coaching set-up heading into the next season. Mike Hussey is serving as the CSK batting coach at present.
Raina’s return, if it materialises, could be game-changing. As a long-time pillar of the side, his presence in the dugout might offer the kind of dressing room morale the team desperately lacked in 2025.
Suresh Raina's Legacy for CSK
Raina debuted in the IPL in the CSK jersey in 2008. He scored 400-plus runs in each season from 2008 to 2014, which was once a record. He scored a 16-ball fifty against Punjab Kings (PBKS), then Kings XI Punjab, in 2014, which is still the fastest by a CSK player.
He played his last IPL match in 2021 and retired with 5,528 runs and four titles.
Also read: IPL 2025 - “Some of Them Will Retire at 22” - MS Dhoni’s Savage Swipe Shuts Down Retirement Talk
