Former IPL champions Chennai Super Kings will be heading into the IPL 2027 season without a batting coach. According to SportsStar, the decision was taken after the team parted ways with Michael Hussey.

Speaking to SportStar, the franchise’ CEO Kasi Viswanathan said, “Our coaching staff is complete.

Whoever joined us on Tuesday will be a part of our support staff, and we will not have a batting coach.”

Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina were being considered as Hussey’s replacement. Meanwhile, Viswanathan said that Gareth Batty could be asked to be the new batting mentor in addition to his role as assistant coach.

“The decision not to have a batting coach was taken by Zaheer Khan. We are exploring the option of using Batty as a batting mentor, and the discussions are going on.” The 49-year-old has joined the yellow brigade as one of the two assistant coaches.

Former all-rounder Albie Morkel will be the other assistant coach for the upcoming season.

The former English star was a successful coach for Surrey, leading them to three consecutive title wins in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Surrey finished the 2025 season as the runners-up before winning just two games in the 2026 season, finishing seventh in the table. Batty played nine Tests, ten ODIs, and a T20I for England and claimed a total of 20 wickets.

James Foster and Sridharan Sriram are the only staff members who have been retained from the previous season. The five-time IPL winners, who last won the title in 2023, parted ways with Stephen Fleming in July 2026. Kiwi legend then became England’s Test coach.

New-look coaching staff for five-time winners

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan became the head coach of the side.

The 48-year-old, who previously worked with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants behind the scenes, will be making his debut as a head coach.

Khan was hired on the recommendation of former skipper MS Dhoniwho shares a great rapport with the former seamer. Mohit Sharma, who also played for India and CSK, has been appointed as the bowling coach.