GARETH Batty will leave Surrey to join Chennai Super Kings as an assistant coach from the 2027 IPL season.

Batty has been head coach in south London since 2022, winning three consecutive County Championships and guiding Surrey to the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast in all five years of his tenure including two trips to Finals Day.

The move ends a 21-year association with the club after he played for the Three Feathers from 1998-2001 before returning in 2010. 

Batty was club captain between 2015 and 2017 before handing the reins to current skipper Rory Burns. After retiring as a player in 2021, he immediately joined the coaching staff.

Batty has overseen one of the most successful periods for any side in the County Championship as Surrey became the first team in nearly 60 years to win three titles in a row. 

Surrey secured the first of the trio of titles in 2022, Batty’s first season as coach, before backing it up in 2023 and 2024 as well as finishing runners-up in the 2025 season.

Over the last five years, as well as prolific success on the playing field, Batty has also overseen the development of many cricketers from the Surrey first team into the England set-up.

As a player, Batty played for the Three Feathers over 350 times taking more than 500 wickets across all formats and is the joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket for the club. He was awarded his Surrey County Cap in 2011, recognising his senior role in the side. Batty also played 20 times for England, representing his country in all three formats.

“Thank you hardly seems enough for all that Surrey has meant to me,” Batty said. “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 [Aec Stewart]. 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.”

Stewart said: “It is difficult to put into words just how much Gareth Batty has given to Surrey County Cricket Club, both as a player and as head coach.

“I have known and worked with Gareth for many years, and throughout that time he has shown an outstanding commitment to this club. As a player and then as captain he has always put the team first and played a significant role in helping to move the club forward.

“He has a passion and knowledge for the game as well as a determination to get the very best out of himself and those around him. When he made the transition into coaching, he brought those same qualities with him.

“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.

“Gareth has always cared deeply about the club. He demands a great deal of himself and those around him, because he wants Surrey to be successful and wants every player to fulfil their potential.

“On a personal level, I would like to thank him for everything he has contributed to Surrey throughout his time at the Kia Oval. We share a love of the club and a determination to see Surrey continue to succeed, and we can look back with considerable pride on what has been achieved, both on and off the field during his time as head coach. 

“I would also like to thank his family for their understanding and patience of what the role has demanded from him over the last five years.

“Whilst we are sorry to see him go. I understand that this opportunity was too good for him to pass up on and will enable him to spend more time with his family outside of the IPL season. 

“He leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the club. Gareth may have been born a Yorkshireman but he was made in Surrey and has had an incredible impact on the club.”