CSK appoint Gareth Batty as batting coach ahead of IPL 2027

Chennai Super Kings have parted ways with batting coach Michael Hussey as part of a major coaching overhaul ahead of IPL 2027. Hussey’s departure ends an eight-year stint in the role. The Australian first joined CSK as a player in 2008 and represented the franchise across six seasons. After retiring from international cricket, he returned to the team as batting coach in 2018, working alongside head coach Stephen Fleming. CSK also confirmed the departures of long-term coaching and backroom staff Eric Simons, Rajiv Kumar, Tommy Simsek and Gregory King via a social media post.

Chennai Super Kings have appointed Gareth Batty as batting coach ahead of IPL 2027, replacing Hussey. Batty will join head coach Zaheer Khan in the revamped set-up. Sportstar reported that former CSK player Mohit Sharma will be roped in as bowling coach.

Batty is a former England international. He was last in charge of Surrey and led the side to three consecutive County Championship titles. Surrey confirmed Batty’s exit on social media on Monday, stating: "Head coach Gareth Batty is to leave the Club to take up a role with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. The Club would like to thank Gareth for overseeing a highly successful period in its history. As head coach, Surrey won three County Championship titles in a row from 2022-2024." Batty took charge of Surrey in 2022 and guided them to the County Championship title in his first season. The team retained the trophy in 2023 and completed a hat-trick in 2024. His move brings an end to a 21-year association with the south London side. He has also coached MI London in The Hundred in the past.

CSK are five-time IPL champions. The franchise is overhauling its backroom staff ahead of IPL 2027. Batty will now prepare for IPL 2027 with Zaheer Khan as head coach and Batty in charge of batting.

Surrey County Championship titles under Gareth Batty

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Sources

• India Today

• Sportstar

• Photo: yogendras31, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay)