Chennai Super Kings have made a significant addition to their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2025 season, appointing former Indian all-rounder S Sriram as their new assistant bowling coach. Sriram will join a coaching team that includes Head Coach Stephen Fleming, Mike Hussey as the batting coach, and Eric Simons, who serves as the bowling consultant. This move comes as the team prepares to face off against Mumbai on March 23, marking the start of their IPL 2025 campaign.
Sriram brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having previously worked as an assistant coach for the Australian national team from 2016 to 2022. Additionally, he has held coaching positions with Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he focused on batting and spin bowling, and more recently, he was appointed as a T20 advisor for Bangladesh ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. His most recent stint was as an assistant coach for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024, and he has also had a coaching role with the Delhi Daredevils. This plethora of experience will undoubtedly be valuable as he replaces Dwayne Bravo, who has moved on to a mentorship role with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the winners of the previous season.
Sriram’s own cricketing career is marked by his appearances in 8 international matches for India, although he did not participate in Test or T20 cricket for the national team. In his 8 ODIs, he managed 81 runs and took 9 wickets, and he also has a substantial first-class record, with 9539 runs and 85 wickets in 133 matches. Born in Chennai, Sriram’s appointment could bring a local touch to the coaching staff, potentially boosting team morale and performance.
The Chennai Super Kings squad for the upcoming season looks promising, with notable players such as R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Gopal, and Noor Ahmed. The team also boasts spin-bowling all-rounders Deepak Hooda and Rachin Rabindra, offering a balanced lineup. Other key players include Rituraj Gaikwad, who will captain the team, MS Dhoni, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, and a host of other talented cricketers like Andre Siddharth, Vijay Shankar, and Shivam Dubey. The bowling department is strengthened by the presence of Khalil Ahmed, Mukesh Chaudhary, and Nathan Ellis, among others.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the Chennai Super Kings will be looking to make a strong impression, and with S Sriram on board, they certainly have the coaching expertise to guide them. His experience and insights will be invaluable as the team navigates the challenges of the tournament, aiming to bring home the championship title. With a solid squad and a seasoned coaching staff, the stage is set for an exciting season for CSK fans.