BCCI Considers Sitanshu Kotak for Team India Batting Coach

The fallout from India's Test series losses to New Zealand at home and Australia down could soon unfold, with the BCCI considering bolstering the team's support staff. The board is reportedly exploring the appointment of Sitanshu Kotak, the current head trainer of India A, as the batting trainer for the senior team. Kotak, a former domestic stalwart, is being seriously considered for the position.

Kotak filled in as the lead trainer of India A during their visit through Australia in November last year. He likewise drove the Jasprit Bumrah-captained Indian group for the T20I series in Ireland in August 2023.

The 52- time-old former left- hander, who captained Saurashtra, was a dominant figure in domestic cricket. Playing from the 1992- 93 season to 2013, he amassed 8,061 runs in 130 first- class matches at around 41.76, including 15 centuries and 55 fifties.

After leaving cricket, the celebrated cricketer took up coaching full-time. After his successful stint with Saurashtra, Mishra served as the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He has represented India on coaching assignments in Bangladesh, South Africa, and Australia with Indian A teams over the past four years under the BCCI as their lead mentor, he was assistant coach to the now defunct outfit Gujarat Lions in the 2017 IPL season.

A reliable source in the BCCI said on Thursday, "Yes, Kotak's name is being seriously discussed for the role of India's batting coach, and it will start with the Champions Trophy in February. The BCCI is likely to make an official announcement in this regard. Most of our batsmen [batters], including the seniors, have struggled badly in the last two series. There's clearly a need to strengthen the support staff of the Indian men's cricket team from the batting point of view."

Presently, India's instructing staff incorporates Morne Morkel bowling trainer, Abhishek Nayar assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate assistant coach, T Dilip fielding mentor, and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Although, there is no assigned batting mentor, in spite of the fact that Nayar's job includes working with the batters. The BCCI believes there is a requirement for an expert to focus on the batting department.

Following India's 3-0 whitewash at home by New Zealand and their 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the performance of the team's support staff has come under intense scrutiny. This is especially true as key players like Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill have struggled to overcome their poor form.

The role of support staff was discussed in the review meeting in Mumbai on January 11.