Suresh Raina might be back with the Chennai Super Kings- not as a player, but in a new capacity.
During the IPL 2025 match between CSK and GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Raina was on commentary duty when he hinted at a possible return to the franchise next season. This time, however, the former CSK star is expected to take up the role of batting coach for IPL 2026.
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While there is no official word yet from the team management, what Raina said on-air has already created a lot of excitement among fans, especially those who’ve followed his journey closely in yellow.
What did Suresh Raina say during the IPL broadcast?
It all started when Raina teased that CSK would have a new batting coach next season.
Aakash Chopra, sitting beside him, quickly picked up on it and asked if the next batting coach's name starts with 'S', to which Raina indirectly agreed and jokingly hinting on his new role -- referencing his own record, saying that the new coach could be the fastest fifty scorer in IPL history for CSK.
Suresh Raina as a CSK batting Coach next seasonpic.twitter.com/QxteoIGXi5
— Prateek (@PagalYuva_) May 25, 2025
Raina is known as 'Mr. IPL' as he used to be the best performer of this high stakes league in his playing days. He was an important part of CSK’s success and played for them from the first season in 2008 till 2021.
He still holds the record for scoring the most runs for CSK. Even after he stopped playing cricket, Raina stayed connected to the game by doing commentary.
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Is Suresh Raina's appointment as CSK batting coach official?
CSK has not officially commented anything about Raina becoming the batting coach.
But Raina's hint during commentary was strong enough to get fans excited, and many CSK fans are already talking about him coming back to the franchise.
Looking at his close connection with CSK and MS Dhoni, it won’t be a surprise if the team makes it official sometime soon.