The esteemed former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player, who retired from IPL cricket after the 2022 season, might step into the shoes of his ex-India teammate Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir recently departed from the Lucknow franchise after serving as a significant mentor for two years, opting to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a similar capacity.

Given Raina’s immense popularity as a native of Uttar Pradesh, speculation has been rampant that he could emerge as the fresh face for the Lucknow franchise in a mentorship role.

Raina added fuel to the speculation this weekend during an intriguing exchange with a well-known journalist on Twitter. The journalist dismissed a fan’s assertion about Raina joining the LSG setup, branding it as unfounded. However, just as fans were beginning to accept the journalist’s viewpoint, Raina intervened, suggesting that the journalist might not always be correct.

This subtle hint implied Raina’s potential association with the Lucknow franchise as a team mentor for IPL 2024, possibly filling the void left by Gambhir in the support staff. The team is currently undergoing a coaching transition under the guidance of new head coach Justin Langer.