India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is not worried about his team’s performance, even if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not make a strong comeback in the first ODI against Australia. He believes the star veterans are in good touch and would perform well in the next two matches.
India will play the second game of the series in Adelaide on Thursday after losing the first game in Perth by 7 wickets.
When asked about the Rohit’s eight-run knock and Kohli’s dismissal for a duck in Perth, Kotak said, “I don’t think there was any rustiness (in Rohit and Kohli’s batting). They played the IPL, and their preparation has been very good. I think both of them have a lot of experience.”
“Even before coming to Australia, their preparations were very good. So I think it’s too early to even think like that (worry about their form)..,” he added about the duo that only plays the ODI format now.
“They both look in very good touch to me. They batted really well yesterday. Every net session, their approach has been excellent.”
When asked if Rohit and Kohli were in touch with the team management during their extended absence from the national team following the Champions Trophy victory in March, Kotak replied in the affirmative.
“We were very much aware of what preparations they were doing and their fitness status. They sometimes go to the National Cricket Academy. We get updates and videos from there, what they’re doing, their practice routines, fitness work.
“But not always, to be very honest. You need to find the right time to intervene. With such senior players, you don’t want to intervene if it’s not required. If they are doing things right and you still try to get involved, it may not be the right thing to do always,” he said.
After multiple rain delays reduced the opening ODI to a 26-overs-a-side encounter, India lost by seven wickets. Kotak claimed that the Indian batters were impacted by the frequent breaks.
“I think it would have been the same if Australia had batted first. When you don’t know how many overs you’re going to bat, it’s not easy to plan with four or five rain breaks. Going in and out every few overs, it’s difficult.
“I think it was more about weather, to be very honest. In the last game, obviously, we lost a couple of wickets early, but I’m not really thinking too much about it,” he said.
According to Kotak, India has suffered a significant loss in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from a left quadriceps injury, but this has given all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy an opportunity.
“Someone like Hardik is always a big loss. But if we look at the positive side, Nitish is getting some game time and we’re trying to groom him.
“Every team needs an all-rounder, and we’re trying to develop him (Nitish) in that role. So it’s a good preparation in that way. But yes, any team would miss a player like Hardik,” Kotak said.
“…(But) in a way, if we look at in hindsight, it’s a positive that Nitish is getting match time at this level.
Regarding Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is in the team but warming the bench, Kotak stated: “…he practices well, and they all know their turn will come. End of the day, only 11 can play, so you have to wait for your turn and then perform.”
