Sitanshu Kotak Appointed India Batting Coach for England T20Is

Former Saurashtra captain and batter Sitanshu Kotak has been appointed as the batting coach for the India men’s cricket team.

The 52-year-old will begin his tenure with the five-match home T20I series against England, set to start on January 22.

A Seasoned Domestic Cricketer Turned Coach

Kotak retired from first-class cricket in 2013 after a career spanning over two decades. Since 2019, he has served as the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Kotak also took on the role of head coach for multiple India A tours and assisted VVS Laxman during India’s white-ball bilateral engagements in recent years.

Joining a Robust Coaching Setup

Kotak’s addition makes him the fifth assistant coach under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, who became India’s all-format head coach in August last year.

The coaching staff already includes former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who was retained from Rahul Dravid’s tenure, continues as the fielding coach.

Addressing Recent Batting Concerns

Kotak’s appointment follows a series of disappointing performances by the Indian batters.

The team’s struggles were highlighted during the recent series defeats, including the 3-0 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

These failures not only derailed India’s Test series ambitions but also cost them a spot in the World Test Championship final.

During a review meeting in Mumbai, batting emerged as a significant concern. The meeting included Gambhir, selection committee head Ajit Agarkar, and top BCCI officials, including newly appointed board secretary Devajit Saikia.

The decision to bring Kotak on board is seen as a direct response to these issues.

Bypassing Big Names for Domestic Expertise

Despite public interest from England batting great Kevin Pietersen to take on the role, the BCCI chose Kotak, citing his deep-rooted domestic and coaching credentials.

“Kotak will be joining the Indian team as a batting coach. The Indian team will have a three-day camp in Kolkata, and players will report on January 18,” a BCCI source told a national daily.

Kotak’s Coaching Credentials

Kotak is widely regarded as a domestic cricket legend. During his playing career from 1992 to 2013, he scored 8061 runs in 130 first-class matches at an average of 47.16, including 15 centuries and 55 half-centuries. He also amassed 3083 runs in List A cricket at an average of 42.33.

After retiring, he coached Saurashtra and joined the NCA as a batting coach. Kotak also had a stint with the Gujarat Lions during their time in the IPL.

In recent years, he served as the India A batting coach, with his latest assignment being the tour of Australia. Additionally, he was the interim head coach for India during the T20I series in Ireland in August 2023.

Gambhir’s Recommendation

Reports indicate that head coach Gautam Gambhir played a significant role in Kotak’s appointment. A senior BCCI official stated, “Coach Gambhir had asked for a batting coach during the review meeting. Discussions were ongoing since then, and now Kotak will be added to the support staff.”

The official further highlighted the need to strengthen the team’s batting support. “Most of our batters, including seniors, have struggled in the last two series. There’s clearly a need to enhance the support staff from a batting perspective.”

The Road Ahead

Kotak’s first assignment will be the home series against England, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs. The series starts on January 22, with the first match in Kolkata following a three-day camp.

This appointment also comes ahead of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy tournament.

While this may be a one-off appointment, Kotak’s extensive experience and proven track record in domestic and international cricket make him a valuable addition to the Indian team’s coaching staff.

His ability to address technical issues, as seen in the past, will be crucial for improving the performance of Indian batters in upcoming fixtures.