New Delhi: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has brushed aside suggestions of rustiness in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after their underwhelming returns in the opening ODI against Australia in Perth. Both senior players failed to make an impact as India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in a rain-hit contest.
Rohit, who opened the innings with Shubman Gill, managed only 8 runs off 14 balls, while Kohli was dismissed for a rare 8-ball duck his first zero in an ODI in Australia. Persistent rain interruptions made batting conditions difficult, disrupting momentum and plans throughout the innings.
Speaking ahead of the second ODI in Adelaide, Kotak attributed their struggles not to lack of preparation but to the weather and frequent breaks during the match. “I don’t think it was rustiness. They played the IPL, and their preparations have been excellent. It was more about the conditions. With so many stoppages and uncertainty over how many overs you’re going to bat, it becomes very hard to plan your innings,” he explained.
Kotak added that both Rohit and Kohli looked in fine touch during their net sessions before the Adelaide fixture. “They batted very well in practice and looked confident. It’s just a matter of getting some rhythm in the middle,” he said.
When asked about the duo’s long break from international cricket following India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March, Kotak confirmed that the coaching staff stayed updated on their progress. “We were aware of their training and fitness work. They sometimes train at the National Cricket Academy, and we receive updates and videos from there,” he noted.
He also emphasised the importance of giving senior players the space to manage their routines independently. “You don’t always need to intervene. With players of their experience, it’s about trusting their process. If they’re doing things right, constant involvement isn’t always necessary,” Kotak added.
India will hope their star batters find form as they look to level the three-match series in Adelaide.
