Indians batting practice during a training session ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final cricket match, in Dubai, UAE, on March 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was pleased that every batter contributed to the team’s cause in its run to the final and felt the side is well-prepared, having encountered different situations in the four games so far.
“The pitches change a bit obviously, but the overall tendency (slow nature) has not changed much. Our batting has been really good. Secondly, in four matches, batting first or second, we have got runs from openers, and when they didn’t, the middle-order has scored,” said Kotak ahead of India’s practice session on Friday (March 7, 2025).
“Till now, there has not been much need for power hitting, but that also happened in the last match,” he added referring to the way Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul rained sixes to close out the semifinal against Australia.
On the burning topic of India having an undue advantage of playing all its matches in Dubai, Kotak dismissed the assertion.
“I don’t understand what advantage we get from this (pitch). People feel that India got an advantage after we won the matches. I don’t know what to say about that. We just played to the draw.”
“I think in a game, you must play good cricket every day when you turn up. If you don’t play well, then you can’t complain. And if you play well, there is no point in saying whether you got an advantage or not.”
The former Suarashtra cricketer praised vice-captain Shubman Gill, whom he had worked with at the India A level.
“I think he can adapt to the situation well and play according to the team’s needs. His game is such that he can be good with rotating strike, taking the game deep, and also attack if required. With his balanced approach, he has been brilliant,” said Kotak.
The batting coach also hailed K.L. Rahul’s adaptability, who has been moved down one slot in the order to number six, where he has had to be a bit more aggressive right from the start. Rahul has played vital knocks against Bangladesh and Australia.
“He is someone who can open and also bat at number four or five. He is very happy in the role he is performing. It also helps him when he starts performing at that number because it is a different situation he is going in. It is great for the team,” said Kotak.
Published – March 07, 2025 09:37 pm IST
