Suresh Raina back in yellow? CSK return teased ahead of IPL 2026

In what could be a highly emotional reunion, former Chennai Super Kings icon Suresh Raina on Sunday dropped a strong hint regarding his return to the franchise for IPL 2026, but this time, potentially in a coaching capacity.

Raina, who played a pivotal role in shaping CSK`s dominance during their early years, subtly indicated that discussions are underway about him joining the setup once again.

During CSK’s final league game of IPL 2025 against the Gujarat Titans, a match they won by 83 runs, Raina was in the commentary box alongside Sanjay Bangar and Aakash Chopra. While analysing CSK’s season, Raina let slip an intriguing remark that set tongues wagging across the cricketing fraternity.

When Raina revealed that CSK was considering appointing a new batting coach for the next season, Chopra cheekily asked if the coach’s initials began with “S”. In response, Raina smiled and quipped, “He has made the fastest fifty,”, a possible reference to his own 16-ball half-century against Punjab Kings in 2014, one of the fastest in IPL history.

SURESH RAINA WILL BE BATTING COACH NEXT SEASON 🚨🚨
.#CSKvsGT pic.twitter.com/HuRpTr3RoB

— SANATANI HINDU (@Sanatan_Dharma8) May 25, 2025

Though Raina stopped short of confirming anything officially, the comment has ignited intense speculation about his return, potentially as CSK’s batting coach for IPL 2026. Mike Hussey, the current batting coach and a former CSK player himself, still holds the position, but with no formal communication from the franchise yet, fans are eagerly anticipating a change that brings `Chinna Thala` back to the dugout.

Fondly referred to as `Mr. IPL`, Raina represented CSK from 2008 to 2021, amassing 5529 runs, still the highest for the franchise. He was instrumental in CSK’s first four title triumphs and continues to be one of the most revered figures in the club’s history. However, he did not feature in CSK’s victorious 2023 campaign, where they clinched their fifth title by defeating Gujarat Titans.

As heartwarming as Raina’s potential return may be, one key question still looms, whether MS Dhoni will be part of CSK in IPL 2026. With increasing speculation suggesting that Dhoni may have played his final IPL game, possibly Sunday`s match against Gujarat Titans, Raina’s homecoming as a coach could signal a new era for the franchise.

This article first appeared on Mid Day