Team India's New Batting Coach: India has been under fire following consecutive series defeats: a 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home and a 1-3 drubbing in Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Both losses highlighted glaring issues with India's batting lineup.
Indian batsmen struggled against spin on home soil and against bounce on Australian pitches.
A report from Cricbuzz revealed that BCCI, in a review meeting, decided to enhance Gautam Gambhir-led coaching setup. The appointment of a specialized batting coach is expected soon. While Abhishek Nair, an assistant coach, currently oversees the batting department, the position of batting coach remains officially vacant.
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According to a report in Times of India, Sitanshu Kotak is the leading candidate for the role of India's new batting coach. Kotak, currently the head coach of India-A, could take over before ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Who is Sitanshu Kotak?
Sitanshu Kotak is a former cricketer who had a remarkable first-class career representing Saurashtra from 1992 to 2012.
First-class Cricket: Played 130 matches, scoring 8,061 runs at an average of 41.76, including 15 centuries and 55 half-centuries.
List A Cricket: Scored 3,083 runs in 89 matches at an average of 42.23, with 3 centuries and 26 half-centuries.
T20 Cricket: Played 9 matches, scoring 133 runs.
Kotak also contributed as a bowler, taking 70 wickets in first-class cricket and 54 in List A matches.
Coaching Achievements
After retiring, Kotak transitioned into coaching and achieved great success:
Domestic Coaching: Led Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2020.
India-A Coach: Appointed head coach in 2019 after Rahul Dravid became NCA Director. He has managed tours to Bangladesh, South Africa, and Australia.
Additional Roles: Served as assistant coach for Gujarat Lions in IPL (2017) and coached India's T20 team on their 2023 Ireland tour under Jasprit Bumrah's captaincy.
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