On Monday, October 26, Chennai Super Kings appointed former England spinner Gareth Batty as assistant coach for the forthcoming IPL 2027 season, scheduled to begin in mid-March next year.
Batty served as Surrey head coach for five years, leading the County side to three consecutive County Championship titles. Notably, Batty played for Surrey in more than 350 games across formats, scalping more than 500 wickets.
Under Batty as a coach, Surrey enjoyed one of the most successful spells in County Championship history, becoming the first team in nearly 60 years to win three consecutive titles. They clinched the first of those championships in 2022, Batty’s debut season as head coach, before retaining the title in 2023 and 2024. Surrey also finished as runners-up in the 2025 season.
“Thank you hardly seems enough for all that Surrey has meant to me. It has been a privilege to serve this great club, to share in its success and challenges. 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. I would like to make a special thank you for Stewie, he has been there throughout – thank you for the memories and your belief in me, boss. “Clubs are built on more than results and trophies, they are built on people, loyalty and a shared sense of purpose and I look forward to my third chapter as a fan. Thank you,” Batty said in Surrey’s media release.
Batty expressed his gratitude to Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart for his unwavering support during his tenure at the club, describing his departure as the start of a new chapter. Stewart, meanwhile, praised Batty’s contributions as both a player and a coach, acknowledging his role in one of the most successful eras in Surrey’s 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.
