Five-time IPL champion Chennai Super Kings will not have a batting coach for the IPL 2027 season.
After three disappointing seasons where the franchise failed to reach the Playoffs, the franchise has hit the reset button and cleared out most of its coaching staff.
Batting coach Michael Hussey, who had served as batting coach since the 2018 season, was among those who faced the axe, along with long-time head coach Stephen Fleming.
Speaking to Sports stars on Wednesday, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said, “Our coaching staff is complete.
Whoever we announced yesterday will form our backroom team; we will not have a batting coach.”Former players Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina were among those rumoured to take over Hussey in social media circles. Those speculations, however, have now been put to rest.
CSK, after naming Zaheer Khan as Fleming’s successor, announced its new support staff on Tuesday. The franchise roped in former players Mohit Sharma and Albie Morkel as bowling and assistant coach.
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The five-time IPL champion also named Gareth Batty, who led Surrey to three successive County titles, as its second assistant coach.
Sridharan Sriram and James Foster were the only support staff who have been retained from last season. They will be staying on as assistant coach and fielding coach, respectively.
Kasi also revealed the franchise is discussing using Batty in a batting adviser role. He said, “It’s a decision taken by Zaheer (on not having a batting coach). But yes, we are exploring the option of using Batty as a batting mentor. Discussions are ongoing.”
As things stand, CSK is the only team that will head to the 20th edition of the IPL without a batting coach.
On Hardik Pandya’s rumoured trade to CSK, Kasi remained tight-lipped. “No developments on that front to my knowledge,” he said.
Published on Oct 28, 2026
