Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to strengthen their coaching setup ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season, with the franchise appointing a former Surrey head coach as an assistant coach. The 48-year-old will work under newly appointed head coach Zaheer Khan as the five-time champions prepare for the upcoming season.
The appointment follows a successful five-year stint at Surrey, where the coach guided the county to three consecutive County Championship titles.
His experience in English domestic cricket and player development is expected to add to CSK’s coaching setup as the franchise begins preparations for IPL 2027.Former Surrey head coach to join CSK coaching staff
Gareth Batty will leave Surrey after five seasons in charge to take up the assistant coach role with CSK. He took over as head coach in 2022 and immediately led the county to the County Championship title. Surrey successfully defended their crown in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first team in nearly 60 years to win the competition in three consecutive seasons.
Surrey finished runners-up in 2025, while the team also reached the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast in every season of his tenure, including two appearances at Finals Day. Several players from the county’s first team also progressed to the England setup during this period.
Speaking about his move to the IPL, Batty said: “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.”
His departure brings an end to a 21-year association with Surrey. He first played for the club between 1998 and 2001 before returning in 2010. After captaining the side from 2015 to 2017, he retired from playing in 2021 and joined the coaching staff before becoming head coach the following year.
From Surrey’s title-winning coach to IPL assistant
The incoming CSK assistant coach represented Surrey more than 350 times as a player, taking over 500 wickets across formats.
He is also the club’s joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket. At the international level, he represented England 20 times across all three formats. Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart praised his contribution to the club, highlighting his role in one of the most successful periods in its history.“Taking on the role of Head Coach is never straightforward, particularly at a Club with the expectations and traditions of Surrey. Gareth embraced that challenge, and his achievement in leading the side to three consecutive County Championship titles is a reflection of his hard work, his understanding of the players and his fierce will to win,” Stewart said.
Stewart also acknowledged the appeal of the CSK opportunity, which will allow the departing coach to spend more time with his family outside the IPL season. His immediate responsibilities at CSK will include assisting with player retentions ahead of the November 15 deadline. He will then work with Zaheer and the coaching group to plan the franchise’s strategy for the IPL 2027 mini auction, scheduled to take place in Goa in mid-December.
