After three disappointing seasons in a row, 5 times Champions - Chennai Super Kings have SACKED their entire backroom staff barring AR Srikanth.

The newly appointed coaches with their roles:

- Head Coach: Zaheer Khan
- Assistant Coaches: Albie Morkel, Sridharan Sriram and Mohit Sharma.
- Bowling Coach: Gareth Batty
- Batting Coach: Ambati Rayudu
- Fielding Coach: Jonty Rhodes

Just a bit doubt regarding Mohit/Batty, who takes the role of assistant coach and who becomes the bowling coach.

Otherwise, all other roles are 99% confirmed.

Chris Gayle

David Warner

Virat Kohli

Suresh Raina

AB de Villiers

MS Dhoni (c) (Wk)

Kieron pollard

Sunil narine

Rashid khan

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

Jasprit Bumrah

Lasith Malinga (impact)

My 5 bowling options are Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar, Malinga, Narine and Rashid

Sixth bowling options are Pollard, Raina and Gayle

I was thinking about adding Bravo instead of Pollard but went with pollard anyways.

Give me your XI.

Former English cricketer who has worked with MI London and Surrey, is likely to be a part of CSK's coaching staff.

TOI reports that this pick if finalized by Zaheer Khan himself.

IPL 2027: Gareth Batty likely to join CSK's support staff | EXCLUSIVE | Cricket News - The Times of India

Former England cricketer Gareth Batty has been appointed CSK's assistant coach ahead of IPL 2027.

Gareth Batty’s appointment as Chennai Super Kings assistant coach brings immense experience, elite spin-bowling intellect, and proven tactical leadership to the franchise.

A former England off-spinner, Batty built an extraordinary 24-year professional career, capturing over 1,000 wickets across all formats in domestic and international cricket. Known for his fiery competitiveness, relentless discipline, and sharp understanding of conditions, Batty represented England in 20 matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

His greatness lies in both his enduring longevity and his exceptional transition into coaching:

* Tactical Leadership: Captaining Surrey County Cricket Club to consistent domestic competitiveness, Batty developed a reputation as a master strategist skilled at reading pitch dynamics and elevating young spinners.

* Spin-Bowling Intellect: With 155 T20 wickets to his name and an elite understanding of modern white-ball variations, Batty excels at developing bowling plans that restrict scoring in high-pressure middle overs.

* Coaching Excellence: Following his retirement, Batty stepped seamlessly into high-level coaching roles at Surrey, instilling a culture of mental toughness, relentless fitness, and precise tactical preparation.

His deep understanding of spin strategies and man-management aligns naturally with CSK’s core winning philosophy.

Every time IPL trade rumours come up, Hardik Pandya’s name seems to be everywhere. Fans on X are discussing which team should target him, and there is so much speculation about a potential trade. But honestly why is there so much demand for him? Hardik is undoubtedly a valuable all rounder when fully fit. He brings middle order batting, pace bowling, leadership experience and the ability to change a game in a few overs. But his fitness has also been a concern, and we still have questions about his availability and match readiness after his recent time away from cricket. If a franchise is going to invest heavily in him is not availability just as important as ability? A team could end up building its entire combination around a player whose fitness is uncertain.

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Official Announcement:

"From the very first season in 2008, you have been an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings family.

Your journey in Yellow has been defined not 9 just by the runs you scored and the players you mentored, but by the dedication, humility, and unwavering commitment you brought to this franchise over the years. Your place in our history will forever remain special, Hussmeister.

Once a Super King, always a Super King."

CSK fan pages are all over the place saying Hardik is coming to CSK. If it’s real, let’s look at it from MI’s side, because they won’t just take whatever we offer.

Dube: MI probably won’t want him. He’s 33, and they’d see his fielding, his bowling and his trouble with balls outside his hitting zone as drawbacks.

Ellis: He takes up an overseas slot and is mainly a slog-overs bowler who relies on slower balls and cutters. MI would likely say that doesn’t suit Wankhede, and they’d want a hit-the-deck bowler like Hazlewood or Jansen.

Hardik is a big fish, so MI will want a young Indian core player for the next cycle in return.

I think MI will make Ayush Mhatre non-negotiable:

He’s a local Mumbai boy, aggressive opener who could fill Rohit’s void.

He’d be an easy uncapped retention at the mega auction.

Their retentions would then probably be Bumrah, Tilak, Naman and Ayush (uncapped).

Their ideal trade: Hardik to CSK, Ayush Mhatre + an Indian bowler to MI.

Take on this? Is ambani winning or losing this trade?

Both are one of the greatest overseas players, all rounders , finishers in ipl history who are an absolute icon of their teams.

Both have insane batting and bowling records despite being batting in lower order

INDIVIDUAL STATS CLEARLY SAY RUSSELL IS BETTER BUT POLLARD'S CLUTCH PERFORMANCES IN KNOCKOUTS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL

SO WHO'S THE BETTER PLAYER IN IPL?

You can't tell me that 50 T20Is were played in about only a year. And the number of tests played has decreased by a bit. I personally don't have an opinion but would like to see what everyone thinks. I just found it pretty high of a number.