Sitanshu Kotak credited with improving India's batting after BGT disaster

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-06-24 18:25:15 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-10 11:05:08

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 9

---

India's batting slumped to a new low during the England tour last year, with the side slumping to a 4-1 defeat across the five Tests. The struggling batters scored just one century in those five matches and averaged below 30.

But under the watchful eye of Sitanshu Kotak, India's batters have found form abroad, scoring five centuries in the first three Tests against Australia. Their averages have soared to nearly 40.

Kotak, who was appointed to the India set-up earlier this year, has helped the team make incremental improvements rather than overhaul the batting unit, according to captain Ajinkya Rahane.

"The batting coach doesn't want to change a lot of things. He has given freedom to all the batters, and we have confidence," Rahane said after the third Test in Melbourne, where India scored over 300 runs for the third straight innings.

"The communication from him has been clear: every batsman has certain strengths and weaknesses, and he has told everyone to play to their strengths."

Kotak's influence has been particularly evident in the performances of openers Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal, who had struggled during the England tour.

While Agarwal failed to score a half-century in eight innings in England, he has hit two centuries and a fifty in the three innings in Australia. Gill, who managed just one fifty in England, has scored a stunning triple century and a half-century in the first and third Tests in Australia.

"When your openers are giving you a good start, it makes things easier for the coming batters. They have shown great maturity and patience," Rahane said.

With the focus now on limited-overs matches against the hosts, Kotak's quest for continued batting improvement will be crucial as India look to settle positions ahead of the ICC World Cup in October-November.

Go!