Surrey will go into next season with a new head coach after Gareth Batty’s departure.

The 49-year-old has moved to Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings, where he will be assistant coach.

Batty took over as head coach just before the 2022 season and – working under director of cricket Alec Stewart and in tandem with skipper Rory Burns – oversaw their hat-trick of County Championship titles over the next three seasons.

They almost made it four in a row last year, just missing out to Nottinghamshire, but this year slipped to seventh in Division One.

It ends Batty’s 21-year association with Surrey, two spells as a player – 1998 to 2001 and 2010 to 2021, the latter including three years as captain – bringing more than 350 appearances and in excess of 500 wickets. Before retirement he was already involved in the coaching set-up, going full-time in 2022 and succeeding Vikram Solanki as head coach. The off-spinner played nine Tests for England.

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

“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 Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”

Stewart added: “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.

“While 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.”