The Indian national cricket team is on the verge of being eliminated from the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup 2026, but batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is busy making nonsense statements ahead of the do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26.
Sitanshu Kotak dismisses pitch concerns ahead of Zimbabwe match
Despite growing criticism over India’s batting struggles on slow and black clay pitches in this T20 World Cup 2026, Kotak has brushed aside all concerns. He stressed that Indian batsmen are not uncomfortable on such surfaces, but these slow pitches make batting difficult for everyone.
“I don’t think we struggle on black soil. If the pitches get slow in T20, batting becomes a struggle. If there is a collapse, we can’t blame the surface. We have done quite well; nothing to worry about,” Sitanshu Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.
Also read: ‘India’s worst game in 2 years’: Sitanshu Kotak gives harsh verdict on humiliating defeat to South Africa
Sitanshu Kotak also admitted that pressure is natural in big tournaments. He said stress and anxiety are part of a professional player’s life, especially while chasing a World Cup title. However, the batting coach has full confidence in his team’s mental strength to deal with any situation.
Coach Sitanshu Kotak said, “There is pressure when you go to bed. There is always anxiety, but you learn to deal with it. For a professional, it is part of their life and it has to be dealt with positively. If we want to win the World Cup, we have to handle the pressure; there is nothing this team cannot handle.”
Tough situation for Men in Blue after NRR takes massive hit
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue are in big trouble in the T20 World Cup 2026 after a massive 76-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad. That defeat has badly affected their net run rate and made their path to the semi-finals very difficult in the ongoing showpiece event.
Now the situation is very simple. India will have to win both their remaining Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe at Chennai on 26 February and West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 1 March. If they lose even one match, the defending champion’s journey in the tournament will end.
If India wins both the matches and South Africa also wins all its matches, both the teams will qualify. South Africa will finish with six points and India with four points. In such a situation, West Indies and Zimbabwe will be out. But if the results change then the net will decide the run rate.
Also read: Not Tilak Verma! Sanju Samson is fighting with this star for a place in India’s playing eleven.
Currently India’s net run rate is -3.800, which is very bad. Hence, the Men in Blue need a big win to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
‘Too many brains?’ Michael Vaughan raised questions on India’s think tank
Recently, former England captain Michael Vaughan had criticized the Indian cricket team management over the selection after their 76-run loss to South Africa.
Vaughan said on Cricbuzz, “There are a lot of people in the backroom. There are a lot of analysts, a lot of scientists – a lot of minds – and sometimes the brains make life complicated. When you’re winning, playing well, and Axar is doing very well. I’d like to know the person who was around that board meeting and went, ‘I think we should play Washington Sundar.'”
