-Karthik Gurumurthy
Today, Ravichandran Ashwin hosted our very own “Chinna Thala,” Suresh Raina, on his YouTube channel, and it was one of the most enjoyable cricket conversations I have watched in a long time.
For CSK fans, Raina is far more than a former player. He is part of the franchise’s identity. Watching two former teammates who shared the dressing room for India and Chennai sit down and talk openly felt like a trip down memory lane, with plenty of insight along the way.
What stood out most was how Ashwin put the spotlight on Raina’s strengths. Many interviews chase headlines or controversy. Ashwin instead asked thoughtful, well-researched questions that let Raina tell his own story.
Because they played together for years, the conversation felt warm and honest rather than formal. Ashwin knew exactly which memories to bring up, and Raina clearly enjoyed revisiting them. It was the kind of interview that only a fellow cricketer, and a former teammate, could have pulled off.
The episode was a reminder of something many people forget: Suresh Raina was a complete team player. Whatever CSK needed on a given day, he found a way to deliver.
- With the bat: A fearless, attacking No. 3 who could take apart any bowling attack and set the tone for the innings. When Raina got going, the opposition’s plans fell apart quickly.
- With the ball: Always ready to roll his arm over with his off-spin and chip in with a couple of crucial wickets when the team needed a breakthrough.
- In the field: One of the finest fielders of his generation. He pulled off difficult catches and saved runs that often changed the course of a match.
Players who contribute in all three departments are rare. That versatility is a big reason CSK was so consistent during his years with the team.
There is a reason fans call him “Chinna Thala” and “Mr. IPL.” Raina did not just play for CSK; he lived and breathed the yellow jersey. Next to MS Dhoni, he was the heartbeat of the team for more than a decade.
His impact went beyond the IPL too. Ashwin himself has spoken before about how Raina’s crucial innings against Australia in the quarter-final and Pakistan in the semi-final helped India win the 2011 World Cup, contributions that are often overlooked next to the bigger names from that campaign.
I sincerely hope the CSK management considers bringing Suresh Raina back as a batting or fielding coach. Here is why he would be a great fit:
- He knows the CSK culture. Few people understand what it means to play for Chennai the way Raina does. He can pass that spirit on to the next generation.
- He has done it at the highest level. His experience as a match-winning batter in the IPL and for India gives him real authority with young players.
- Fielding was his superpower. His work ethic and athleticism in the field set a standard that any young player would benefit from learning.
- The fans would love it. Seeing Chinna Thala back in yellow, even from the dugout, would mean a great deal to the CSK family.
Who better to teach young players what it means to give everything for the team?
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