Sitanshu Kotak has 3083 runs at an average of 42.33 and a top score of 122* in List A matches, but he is known on the circuit for his strong technique. (Express Photo)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to add former Saurashtra stalwart Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach with the Indian team for the forthcoming India vs England limited overs series at home. The Indian team is scheduled to play five T20Is and three ODIs at home. India’s first assignment post the Border Gavaskar Trophy, starts with India playing a T20I game at Eden Gardens on January 22.
The Indian team will be reporting at Kolkata on January 18 and it is learnt that a three day-camp will be held in the eastern metropolis.
“Kotak will be joining the Indian team as a batting coach. The Indian team will be having a three day-camp in Kolkata and players will be reporting on January 18,” a source in the Indian board said.
The Indian team is currently guided by head coach Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar (Assistant coach), Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coach), Morne Morkel (bowling coach) and T Dilip (fielding coach).
The role of support staff came under scrutiny post India’s tour to Australia and it was discussed during the Border Gavaskar Trophy too.
The reason for adding Kotak is not known till now, however, the team management has asked for a specialist batting coach going ahead. Kotak, a veteran from Saurashtra, has been India A batting coach for a long time.
Kotak has 3083 runs at an average of 42.33 and top score of 122* in List A matches, but he is known on the circuit for his strong technique. He also scored over 8000 runs in First Class cricket, and had a bunch of dogged batting displays to his credit.
Sitanshu Kotak has 3083 runs at an average of 42.33 and a top score of 122* in List A matches, but he is known on the circuit for his strong technique. (Express Archive)
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar had earlier slammed the Indian cricket team’s support staff after their abysmal tour of Australia ended with a 1-3 scoreline.
While most of the Indian cricket team players have been singled out for criticism, Gavaskar also pointed fingers at the coaches.
“Aapke coaching staff kya kar rahe the? (What was your coaching staff doing in Australia?) Your bowling coach and your batting coach… your batting coach, in particular, against New Zealand when we were bowled out for 46, and the way we were defeated in the remaining matches. Batting mein koi dum nahi tha (There was no punch in the batting). Here also our batting was not strong enough, so questions should be asked – what have you guys done? Why can’t we see any improvement?”
Gavaskar went on to add on Star Sports: “We would understand if you say that the bowling was top class and our batters couldn’t face them. Even the greatest batters have difficulty in facing good bowling. But when good bowling is not happening then tell me what has the coaching staff done? You may ask should we change the batting order, I will ask should we change the coaching staff? We have 2-3 months before going to England (for the Tests).
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