3 coaches who could be better options than Zaheer Khan for CSK
CSK have appointed Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027, but three other names could have made a strong case for the role.
1. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina served as CSK's vice-captain for a long time and was one of the franchise's most consistent performers during his playing career. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra also publicly named Raina as a potential head coach candidate for CSK ahead of IPL 2027, with the suggestion surfacing as early as August 2026
Raina does not hold formal coaching credentials, but Chopra argued this was not a disqualifier, pointing to examples of coaches who had stepped into similar roles without prior coaching experience. Given Raina's deep familiarity with CSK's culture, dressing room and playing philosophy, he would have brought an insider's understanding that an incoming appointment may take time to develop.
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