Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday confirmed former all-rounder Albie Morkel and Gareth Batty as its assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

A key member of CSK’s back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011, Morkel also serves as head coach of Joburg Super Kings in the SA20. He will join Batty, the outgoing Surrey head coach, in CSK’s backroom staff.

In a video posted on social media, CSK announced Morkel’s appointment with a cheeky reference to the numbers ‘464626’, recalling the 28-run over he smashed off Virat Kohli’s bowling during the 2012 IPL season.

CSK has also brought back former pacer Mohit Sharma as its bowling coach. James Foster and Sridharan Sriram have been retained as fielding coach and assistant coach respectively

Mohit represented CSK across three seasons, in 2014, 2015 and 2019. In his debut season with the franchise, he claimed the Purple Cap after taking 23 wickets in 16 matches.

The video ended with head coach Zaheer Khan responding to a question from CSK mascot Leo about the potential trade. “This much is enough for now,” Zaheer said.

No official trade has been confirmed, but several IPL franchises have been linked to rumoured trade talks involving Mumbai Indians (MI) for Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2027 retention and trade windows.