Gareth Batty leaves Surrey to join Chennai Super Kings staff
- Gareth Batty is leaving his head coach role at Surrey.
- He will serve as an assistant coach to Zaheer Khan at CSK.
- Batty led Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles between 2022 and 2024.
- The move ends a 21-year association with the Surrey club.
- CSK is undergoing a staff overhaul after Stephen Fleming's departure to the England Test role.
Gareth Batty, 49, is leaving his head coach position at Surrey to join the Chennai Super Kings as an assistant coach. He will serve under his former Worcestershire teammate Zaheer Khan at the Indian Premier League franchise.
While multiple reports confirm his role as an assistant coach, some sources indicate he will specifically serve as the batting coach for the 2027 season. Chennai Super Kings official Kasi Viswanathan hinted at the move ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League campaign.
Batty ends 21-year association with Surrey
Batty concludes a 21-year association with Surrey, the club where he played from 1998 to 2001 and returned in 2010. He served as club captain from 2015 to 2017 before handing the position to Rory Burns.
Batty retired from playing in October 2021 and immediately joined the coaching staff at Surrey. He led the team to three consecutive County Championship titles from 2022 to 2024.
The club finished as runners-up to Nottinghamshire in 2025. During the 2026 season, Surrey placed seventh in the County Championship and failed to reach the latter stages of the T20 Blast or the One-Day Cup.
Alec Stewart and Gareth Batty reflect on Surrey departure
Gareth Batty expressed enthusiasm regarding his move to the Indian Premier League, or IPL. "The new journey is a very exciting one for my family and I with CSK in the IPL and I'm looking forward to getting going," Batty said.
Alec Stewart, the director of cricket at Surrey, commended Batty for his dedication to the organization. "I have known and worked with Gareth for many years, and throughout that time he has shown an outstanding commitment to this club," Stewart said.
Stewart also credited Batty for his leadership during the championship years. He stated that the three consecutive County Championship titles were "a reflection of his hard work, his understanding of the players and his fierce will to win".
CSK staff overhaul follows Stephen Fleming's exit
Gareth Batty joins a Chennai Super Kings organization undergoing a significant staff overhaul. The club lost long-term head coach Stephen Fleming to the England Test team. Fleming recruited Eric Simons and James Foster to serve as his assistants in that role.
News18 reported on October 26 that the franchise also confirmed the departure of Michael Hussey during this transition period.
Batty's previous coaching experience
Batty brings recent coaching experience from multiple T20 campaigns. He was an assistant coach for the Oval Invincibles during their 2025 title-winning season.
He also joined the Mumbai Indians' affiliated side MI London for the 2026 competition.
Background of former England spinner Gareth Batty
Gareth Jon Batty is a former English spin-bowler who represented England in all formats. He was the captain of Surrey County Cricket Club between 2015 and 2017.
He is the younger brother of former Yorkshire and Somerset off-spinner Jeremy Batty. Livemint reported that the former England spinner is now joining the five-time Indian Premier League champions.
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