Suresh Raina, the old Team India batsman, spoke about the rumors of him maybe returning to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a coach for the 2026 IPL season. Raina said he spoke to the Chennai team but it takes both sides to agree before anything can happen.
Michael Hussey has been CSK’s batting coach since 2018. But, their batting wasn’t that good in the 2025 season. The five-time IPL champions finished last in the standings for the first time. They did sign Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patel during the season.
Suresh Raina’s Great Run with Chennai Super Kings
Suresh Raina had a great IPL career. He started playing IPL with Chennai Super Kings back in 2008. He stayed with the team until 2015 before leading the Gujarat Lions for a couple of seasons. Raina came back to CSK in 2018 and stayed with them until 2021.
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The left-handed batsman scored 5,528 runs in 205 IPL matches, averaging 32.51 with a strike rate of 136.73. That includes one century and 39 half-centuries. He also took 25 wickets with an economy rate of 7.38.
When playing for CSK, he scored 4,687 runs in 176 games, averaging 32.32 with a strike rate of 136.93. That includes 33 fifties and a century. He was part of the team when they won in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021.
Suresh Raina Doesn’t Know About Joining CSK’s Coaching Staff
Suresh Raina spoke on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel and said that he and the team had talked. He also said he’d be happy to work with his old IPL team.
I don’t know about joining CSK’s coaching staff. I’ve spoken to them and they’ve spoken to me. We’ll see what happens. It’s not just up to me; both sides have to agree. I love the team and if I get the chance I’ll take it. For now we just have to wait and see. Suresh Raina Says He’s Okay with Joining the Mumbai Indians
Suresh Raina said Lucknow is like his home ground and Delhi is where he lives now. He also said Mumbai could be an option. But, Raina said he’ll always feel connected to Chennai Super Kings where his IPL journey started.
If Mumbai Indians call, I’ll go there. Lucknow is also my home. I live in Delhi so you can ask there too. I have offers from everywhere. But where I started, with the yellow team, will always be my favorite. If they want me back in yellow, I’ll be there.
Raina was the first Indian to score centuries in all three formats. He had trouble staying in the Test team but played regularly in ODIs and T20Is for about ten years. Raina scored 7,988 runs in 322 international matches, with seven centuries and 48 half-centuries.
