Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has revealed Chennai Super Kings’ Indian head coach options for IPL 2027. CSK recently parted ways with Stephen Fleming, who took the franchise to five IPL titles.
Chopra suggested former CSK all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin as one of the potential contenders to take over the head coach role. The renowned commentator highlighted that Ashwin has played a lot with former CSK captain MS Dhoni.
Ashwin is known for his astute analysis and has a deep knowledge of the game.
“If coaching credentials are not seen, he has a Chennai connection, he has a tactical brain, and is an astute thinker of the game, then you don’t need to go too far from Ravichandran Ashwin. I don’t know how much he is interested in coaching. He runs a coaching academy. He is tactically extremely brilliant,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He likes to manage a team as well. He is the manager of a TNPL team at the moment. Why not him? Have a conversation. He can be a long-term investment. When you look at the Indians, they might want to go towards a slightly high-profile one. He has played a lot with Dhoni. He rates Ruturaj highly. He likes him a lot, and I think the feeling will be mutual. So why not Ravichandran Ashwin?” he added.
The former Delhi cricketer said Suresh Raina is another potential candidate to take over as CSK’s head coach. Raina served as CSK’s vice-captain for a long time and was a consistent performer for the franchise.
“What about Suresh Raina? He has such a massive Chennai connection that when Dhoni left cricket, he also left along with him. He bleeds yellow. He loves this franchise a lot. He is 100 percent committed in that direction,” the analyst observed.
“There was talk about whether Chinna Thala could become the batting coach or could get a mentor’s role. Why not Suresh Raina? If you are thinking that neither Ashwin nor Raina has coaching experience as such, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan didn’t have it either, but they also did a good job,” he added.
Chopra added that Hemang Badani could be an option to take over as CSK’s coach as he is all set to be released by Delhi Capitals.
“What about Hemang Badani? He comes from Chennai. He has been Delhi’s coach. I feel Delhi will release him now. Dada (Sourav Ganguly) will come there. JSW will manage it now. So the GMR guys will be released. So I feel Hemang Badani would bid goodbye from there, unless it’s already happened. Why not Chennai? He is a homegrown guy,” he said.
The former KKR batter said Sanjay Bangar can also be in contention to take over as CSK’s head coach.
“What about Baba Bangar? It’s not just about the Chennai connection also. He has been India’s coach. MS Dhoni was there when he was India’s batting coach. He has been the Punjab Kings’ coach and has worked with RCB. He has got a portfolio. He has managed many IPL teams and the Indian team,” Chopra observed.
