Sitanshu Kotak Joins India Men’s Team as Batting Coach Ahead of England Series

Sitanshu Kotak Appointed Batting Coach for India’s Men’s Team

Former Saurashtra captain and veteran batter Sitanshu Kotak has been appointed the batting coach for the Indian men’s cricket team. The 52-year-old will begin his tenure with the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting January 22.

Kotak’s Rich Coaching Background

Kotak brings a wealth of experience, having served as the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) since 2019. He also helmed multiple India A tours as head coach and worked as an assistant coach under VVS Laxman during several of India’s white-ball bilateral series.

Before transitioning to coaching, Kotak enjoyed a distinguished first-class career spanning over two decades, representing Saurashtra before retiring in 2013. His technical expertise and understanding of the game have made him a key figure in India’s cricket development pathway.

Expanded Coaching Team Under Gautam Gambhir

Kotak becomes the fifth assistant coach in a robust support staff led by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Since taking over in August 2024, Gambhir has assembled an impressive team:

Morne Morkel: Bowling Coach (Former South Africa pacer)
Abhishek Nayar: Assistant Coach (Former India and Mumbai allrounder)
Ryan ten Doeschate: Assistant Coach (Former Netherlands and Essex captain)
T Dilip: Fielding Coach (Retained from Rahul Dravid’s tenure)

This team combines international expertise with a strong domestic foundation to address India’s recent struggles.

Batting Concerns Lead to Strategic Changes

The appointment of a dedicated batting coach follows a review meeting in Mumbai, where BCCI officials, including Gambhir and selection committee head Ajit Agarkar, assessed India’s disappointing performances in 2024. Key issues included:

Series Defeats: Losses in the Test series against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Batting Failures: Plummeting form and inconsistency led to a missed berth in the World Test Championship final.

The need to revitalize India’s batting unit was identified as a priority, leading to Kotak’s inclusion in the coaching setup.

Upcoming England Series

Kotak’s immediate focus will be the T20I series against England, starting January 22, with matches scheduled in Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. This series provides an opportunity to fine-tune India’s batting approach ahead of major tournaments like the Champions Trophy.

Quotes and Reactions

Gautam Gambhir, Head Coach: “Kotak’s extensive experience at the NCA and with India A makes him the perfect addition to our coaching team. His insights will be invaluable as we address batting challenges.”
Ajit Agarkar, Selection Committee Head: “Our goal is to strengthen the core of the team, and this starts with improving our batting performances. Kotak’s appointment is a step in that direction.”