The former Saurashtra captain and left-handed batter Sitanshu Kotak was recommended as Team India’s new batting coach. One of the reports claimed that the batting stalwart is set to join Gautam Gambhir’s led coaching staff for the forthcoming white-ball series against England starting on January 22 (Wednesday). But, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is yet to make an official announcement on Kotak’s appointment.
Following a 1-3 loss in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Australia, the men-in-blue are set for their next assignment hosting the bilateral series, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. Most importantly, the 50-over format series will be crucial for India, which is their last assignment ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
However, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate continue with their role as assistant coaches with Morne Morkel leading as the team’s bowling coach and T Dilip as the fielding coach.
A Brief Introduction to Sitanshu Kotak
Hailing from Rajkot (Gujarat), Sitanshu Hargovindbhai Kotak used to be a well-known Saurashtra and Warwickshire cricketer during his playing days.
Since his First Class debut in 1992, the left-hander amassed 8,061 runs in 130 matches (211 innings), adding 15 centuries and 55 half-centuries to his name at an average of 41.76, including his best score of 168 not-out. In addition, he contributed effectively with the ball as he bagged 70 wickets in 130 matches at a bowling average of 39.24 and economy of 3.33, including his best bowling figures of 6-81.
Considering his List-A stats, Sitanshu accumulated 3,083 in 89 matches (86 innings) with 3 centuries and 26 half-centuries, averaging at 42.33, along with his best knock of 122 not-out. He continued his impressive bowling performance in this format with 54 wickets in 89 matches at a 25.64 average and 4.94 economy, which consists of his best bowling figures of 7-43.
In contrast, his participation was limited in T20s, having scored 133 runs in 9 matches at an average of 16.62.
It would be surprising to know that the 52-year-old was India’s interim head coach for the T20I squad in August 2023 for the Ireland tour. The team led by Jasprit Bumrah triumphed in the 3-match series against the hosts with 2-0.
Being the India A’s head coach for the past four years, he ensured his presence as a full-time coach. Also, he was the assistant coach of the currently abandoned team Gujarat Lions in IPL (Indian Premier League) 2017.
BCCI Agrees to Gautam Gambhir’s Demands
In a recent review meeting in Mumbai attended by the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, the BCCI officials accepted Gautam Gambhir’s request who openly suggested Sitanshu Kotak as the team’s batting coach. Here’s what one of the senior officials on the Board said:
“Yeah! The head coach Gautam Gambhir requested a batting coach during this review meeting. As the discussions were ongoing, Kotak will most likely join the support staff. The entire team will attend the 3-day camp in Kolkata and the players will report on January 19,” a senior BCCI official said.
Moreover, BCCI identified the requirement to add an experienced batting coach to the Indian squad. This decision comes after a drubbing performance by the batters in the 3-match home test series against New Zealand in October and the 5-match test series against Australia in BGT 2024-25. Based on the struggles in the back-to-back test series, the Indian cricket board felt the requirement to hire a specialist batting coach. Here’s what one of the sources from BCCI said:
“Certainly! It’s a fact to accept that most of our batters, particularly the seniors have struggled terribly to score runs in the previous two series. It is understood that there is a clear requirement to bolster the support staff of the Indian men’s cricket team, considering the batting performances,” one of the trusted sources from BCCI conveyed the fact.
Conclusion:
It is understood that India’s 0-3 whitewash at home by New Zealand and failure to maintain a decade’s domination in the Border Gavaskar Trophy resulted in the support staff’s role coming under severe scrutiny. Especially, the struggling form of star batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill poses a huge threat to the entire team, which stresses the importance of having a full-time batting coach in the squad.
Overall, Kotak who specializes in the cover drive and the flick shot, is expected to introduce innovative techniques in Team India’s batting lineup.
Sitanshu with several years of experience as India A head coach and an assistant coach to VVS Laxman is set to embark on a new chapter in his career. Under Gautam Gambhir’s management, he would soon start his first coaching assignment in India’s limited-overs series against England at home.