Chennai Super Kings are making big changes to their coaching team before IPL 2027. The franchise has let go of five staff members. The biggest name is Michael Hussey. He was the batting coach. He had been with CSK for eight years. His time with the team is now over.
Hussey first joined CSK as a player in 2008. He played for the team for six seasons. After his international career ended, he came back as batting coach in 2018. He worked under head coach Stephen Fleming. CSK won titles in 2018, 2021 and 2023 during his coaching run. The team thanked him for his work. It said he was part of the CSK family from the first season. It praised his runs, his mentoring and his commitment. It called him “Hussmeister” and said he was once a Super King and always a Super King.
Bowling coach Eric Simons is also leaving. He had been with CSK since 2018. The team said he helped shape the bowling unit and thanked him for his service. Simons will join Fleming on the England Test coaching staff. Assistant coach Rajiv Kumar is out too. The team thanked him for his work with player preparation and development. Physiotherapist Tommy Simsek and trainer Greg Kin are the other two staff members leaving. CSK said more updates will come soon.
The team has already made some new hires. Former India pacer Zaheer Khan is the new head coach. He replaces Stephen Fleming. Gareth Batty has joined as an assistant coach. CSK are still working on the rest of the staff. The changes come before the mini auction in December.
The overhaul follows three poor seasons. CSK won the title in 2023. Then they finished fifth in 2024. They were tenth in 2025. They finished eighth in 2026. They missed the playoffs three years in a row. The team hopes the new coaching setup will turn things around.
Gareth Batty Set to Join CSK Coaching Staff for IPL 2027 as Surrey Confirms His Departure
Gareth Batty looks set to join Chennai Super Kings’ support staff for IPL 2027. He is a former England off-spinner and is now 49. He and CSK head coach Zaheer Khan go back a long way. They played together at Worcestershire and got along well.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told TimesofIndia.com that talks are happening. He said negotiations are underway and an announcement should come in a couple of days. Soon after that report, Surrey confirmed Batty would step down as their head coach. He is leaving to take the IPL job. Batty said thank you to Surrey in a club statement. He called his time there a privilege. He said the move to CSK is exciting for him and his family. He also thanked someone named Stewie for being there throughout. He said clubs are built on people and loyalty, not just results. He is looking forward to being a fan again.
Batty played nine Tests, 10 ODIs and one T20I for England. As Surrey’s head coach, he led the team to three straight County Championship titles. Last year Surrey finished second. Several Surrey players earned England Test call-ups under him. They include Gus Atkinson, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith.
CSK have had a rough few years. They have not made the playoffs since winning the title in 2023. That was MS Dhoni’s last season as full-time captain. A last-place finish in 2025 made the franchise rethink things. Last month CSK named former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027. He took over from Stephen Fleming. Fleming had the job for 16 years and won five IPL titles.
Former India pacer Mohit Sharma is also set to join Zaheer’s staff as bowling coach. Viswanathan confirmed that. He said Zaheer recommended Mohit. Viswanathan added that Mohit was a great player for CSK and should do well as coach. CSK have already officially parted ways with Eric Simons and Michael Hussey. Simons had been in the coaching setup since 2018. Hussey had been with the Yellow Army since 2008.
FAQs
Q. Which CSK batting coach has left before IPL 2027?
A. Michael Hussey has left his role as CSK batting coach after eight years.
Q. How long was Eric Simons with Chennai Super Kings?
A. Eric Simons had been with CSK since 2018.
Q. Who is the new head coach of CSK?
A. Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has become CSK’s new head coach.
Q. Who has joined CSK as an assistant coach?
A. Gareth Batty has joined CSK as an assistant coach.
Q. How many consecutive seasons have CSK missed the IPL playoffs?
A. CSK have missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
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