Former India batter Suresh Raina has expressed his desire to return to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), this time as a member of their coaching staff, after revealing that he has approached the franchise for a role but is yet to receive a response.
Raina, popularly known as ‘Mr IPL’, was a key figure in CSK’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the franchise from 2008 to 2021. He remains the leading run-scorer for the Chennai-based side in T20 cricket, having amassed 5,529 runs in 200 matches.
A four-time IPL champion and two-time Champions League winner with CSK, Raina has taken up roles as an expert and commentator since retiring from professional cricket. However, he is now keen to contribute to the franchise off the field.
Speaking during a conversation with his former India and CSK teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, Raina said his years of experience, performances in high-pressure situations and contribution to the team’s success had prompted him to seek a coaching opportunity.
“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 said.
“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,” he added.
The former left-handed batter made it clear that he is open to taking up any responsibility within the CSK set-up. For Raina, continuing his association with the franchise and being part of another trophy-winning campaign would matter more than the designation.
“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,” Raina said.
Raina also explained that he wants to pass on the lessons gathered from years of playing international cricket, World Cups and the IPL to the next generation. Having featured in several finals and experienced both victories and defeats, he believes he can help players deal with the mental demands of the tournament.
“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,” Raina said.
He also pointed out that while CSK have embraced an aggressive style of cricket, players still need guidance on handling pressure, maintaining consistency and managing their workload across demanding seasons.
“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, CSK have made significant changes to their coaching staff ahead of the 2027 IPL season. Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has taken over as head coach, succeeding Stephen Fleming, while Mohit Sharma has been appointed bowling coach. Gareth Batty and Albie Morkel have also joined the five-time IPL champions as assistant coaches.
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