CSK Have Lost Their Mind, They Have Made a Mega Blunder!

“CSK have lost their mind. They have made a mega blunder.”

These are the scathing words of former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a passionate Chennai Super Kings supporter who has previously been associated with the franchise. His anger is directed at Gareth Batty being linked with the batting coach’s role as part of CSK’s coaching changes.

Srikkanth described the decision as a “complete horror” and questioned why a former off-spinner was being considered to teach batting. His reaction was blunt: “Who is Gareth Batty?”

For Srikkanth, the problem is a mismatch of expertise. Batty was known for his bowling, did not enjoy much success in international cricket, and was never a specialist batter. Handing him the batting coach’s responsibility, in his view, makes little sense.

He also suggested that if CSK needed a batting coach, they should give the responsibility to MS Dhoni instead. With Dhoni’s experience and understanding of batting under pressure, Srikkanth believes the franchise already has someone better suited to guide its batters.

Gareth Batty’s International Stats

Batty’s England record shows why his name does not immediately inspire confidence as a batting specialist.

Across 20 international appearances, Batty scored just 183 runs without a half-century and took 20 wickets. Even as a bowler, his international numbers were modest. As a batter, there is little in that record to explain a specialist batting coach appointment.

Calling him a batting coach therefore invites an obvious question: why choose someone whose main skill was off-spin to fill a role previously held by Michael Hussey?

Why Gareth Batty’s CSK Appointment Still Makes Sense

The batting coach label deserves scrutiny. Dismissing Batty’s entire appointment as a mega blunder, however, overlooks the strongest reason for bringing him in: his coaching and management record.

Surrey’s official announcement identifies his CSK position as assistant coach. That role fits his experience far more clearly.

Under Batty, Surrey won three consecutive County Championship titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024, before finishing runners-up in 2025. They also reached the T20 Blast knockout stages in all five seasons of his tenure, including two appearances at Finals Day.

Those achievements came through his work as a coach. His limited success for England does not erase what he has subsequently achieved while managing a team.

The central argument for his appointment is his ability to understand players, manage personalities and create an environment in which they can make decisions confidently. Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart specifically praised Batty’s understanding of his players and his determination to help them fulfil their potential.

That is where he can add value to CSK: managing individuals, supporting the head coach and helping players perform together.

The Batting Coach Label Is the Problem

If Batty is presented as CSK’s specialist batting coach, questioning that choice is entirely reasonable. His playing record offers little evidence of specialist batting credentials, and replacing Hussey with a former off-spinner naturally raises eyebrows.

But suggesting that CSK have lost their mind simply by appointing him goes too far. His Surrey results give the franchise a clear cricketing reason to hire him as an assistant.

Dhoni could still offer batting guidance through his experience, as Srikkanth suggested. That remains a suggestion, rather than an announced division of responsibilities. It would also be premature to assume Batty will merely occupy Hussey’s vacant position while somebody else does the batting work.

Batty’s strongest qualification is his ability to run a successful team and get more from its players. Give him responsibility for those areas, and CSK have a coach with a record that supports the appointment.