After reports surfaced about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) considering a new batting coach, the board has confirmed the appointment. Sitanshu Kotak has been named batting coach of Team India and will work alongside Gautam Gambhir. Kotak has prior experience with the national team, having served as the head coach of the T20I squad, which toured Ireland under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah in 2023. According to The Indian Express, Kotak will join the team ahead of the upcoming home series against England, which begins with five T20Is. The two sides will also face off in three ODIs in February.
Kotak, a domestic cricket stalwart, boasts an impressive playing career, having accumulated 8061 runs in 130 first-class matches and 3083 runs in 89 List A matches. His coaching experience includes a stint as the assistant coach of the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Additionally, Kotak has worked with the India A cricket team.
In the coaching staff, Kotak will work alongside Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, T Dilip, and Morne Morkel. Nayar and ten Doeschate will serve as assistant coaches, while Dilip will focus on fielding. Morkel, a former South African cricketer, has been appointed as the bowling coach. India does not have a specific designated batting coach, making Kotak’s role even more significant.
Meanwhile, former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who expressed his interest in the position on January 16 via X, was overlooked for the job. Pietersen, who enjoyed a distinguished international career, played 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20Is.
The India vs. England series will kick off with five T20Is, which will be held between January 22 and February 2 in various cities: Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. The ODI series will follow in February, with matches scheduled for the 6th, 9th, and 12th in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad, respectively. Following the ODIs, Team India will travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy.