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India’s recent struggles in T20 cricket have raised serious questions, but the team management is not nervous at all. Ahead of the third T20 match against England on July 7, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has defended the team’s performance.
He stressed that the current phase is part of a transition and such challenges are to be expected when a new team is being formed. The Men in Blue have enjoyed tremendous success in T20I cricket last year, winning the Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and other major series.
However, they are struggling badly now. With Shreyas Iyer becoming the captain and many young players joining the team, the team is still trying to settle into a new combination. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav rubbished the fake viral statement on Shreyas Iyer-led Team India.
Sitanshu Kotak says change always brings challenges
Kotak admitted that changing captains and bringing young players into the team at the same time is never an easy process. The batting coach has emphasized that every team goes through a rebuilding period and the results may not always be in their favor during that period.
He said that India is missing the experience and balance provided by star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He also stressed that it naturally takes time to replace a player of Hardik’s quality with youngsters and he is not too concerned about recent results.
“Look, our effort is to improve in all three departments: batting, bowling and fielding. That’s (the nature of the game). Sometimes, when there is a change – the captain has changed, Hardik is not there, and you are trying to bring in 3-4 young players – even then, it should not happen, but such things can happen. The efforts of the Indian team are the same,” Sitanshu Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.
India begins 2028 World Cup planning
The batting coach further stressed that the team’s focus is on getting stronger in every department ahead of the next T20 World Cup in 2028. He informed that the players are working hard to improve their batting, bowling and fielding to continue competing for major trophies.
Kotak said, “Everyone has their own limitations, but we always try to improve in batting, bowling and fielding. If we want to win the next World Cup, we have to be better. We have to do better than what we have done in the last World Cup.”
India’s next all-rounder mission begins! Kotak names 2 rising stars
He also revealed that the team management is working on developing more fast bowling all-rounders in T20 cricket. Young players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Suryansh Shedge are among those poised for bigger roles in the future.
“Fast bowling all-rounders play a very important role in T20, if you count one as the sixth bowler. With all these young players, all 15 players may not get a chance to play, but at least if they are with the team, they will get used to the environment,” the batting coach said.
Kotak stressed that the Indian coaching staff, selectors and the BCCI are all working with the same vision, adding that their focus is on building a strong group of players who will be ready whenever India needs them in major tournaments.