IPL 2018 | CSK pick Laxmipathy Balaji and Michael Hussey as bowling and batting coaches

IPL 2018 | CSK pick Laxmipathy Balaji and Michael Hussey as bowling and batting coaches

no photo

Chennai Super Kings has appointed Laxmipathy Balaji a bowling coach and they handed the batting coach responsibility to Michael Hussey for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The Chennai based franchise has also picked Stephen Fleming who will perform as a head coach of the team.

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are all set for a comeback after a two-year suspension that was forced upon them following their involvement in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. Ahead of the mega-auction, all the eight franchises had the chance to retain a maximum of three players, and without any surprise, CSK retained MS Dhoni on their first priority, along with Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. Now, they also revealed that for the upcoming season they will stick with their former entire support staff which includes the likes of Balaji, Fleming, and Hussey.

“We like to retain the core team because of which we are retaining the entire support staff, with (Stephen) Fleming as the head coach and (Michael Hussey) Hussey as the batting coach and Balaji, the local boy, as bowling coach. Also, we will be retaining the physio Tommy Simzek and trainer Gregory King,” franchise CEO KS Viswanathan made the announcement at a promotional event in Chennai as quoted by PTI.

From the inception of the cash-rich league, Dhoni has played the captain's role for the Chennai side and guided the team to the trophy twice in 2010 and 2011. The team is often considered as one of the most entertaining teams with one of the biggest fanbases in the country. Dhoni said that despite the controversial circumstances which occurred due to the team’s suspensions, the brand image of the team has remained the same.

“The uphill task starts again. You know, (about) who we will get in the auctions. We’ll try to get some of the players who have played for us. But this is the time where we can’t get too emotional about the fact because a lot of other franchises want players who have played for CSK. IPL controversy has not affected the brand image of the team. Even when we did not play in the IPL in the last two years, the fan base increased. Yes, it did hurt when the team was suspended for two years. We are more like a family. Stay together through ups and downs,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said who was presented at the event.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all