"Don't feel player as big as Rohit can have any pressure": Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak after 2nd ODI loss to England
Cardiff, July 17
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma despite his lean run with the bat in the ongoing ODI series against England, saying a player of his stature does not feel pressure even if runs have not come in the last two matches.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after India's four-wicket defeat to England in the second ODI, Kotak expressed confidence that Rohit would soon return to form.
The batting coach added that Rohit's quality and experience make him capable of bouncing back quickly despite the recent setbacks.
"See, I don't feel like a player as big as Rohit can have any pressure. He's too good a player to feel that. Yeah, in two matches runs haven't come, I don't think that makes any difference. But today also, it looked like he'll probably get a good innings out, but that's okay," Kotak said.
In the ongoing ODI series against England, Rohit has managed scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches. Overall, the Indian captain has endured a difficult year with the bat, accumulating 241 runs in eight matches at an average of 30.12, with a highest score of 79.
Coming to the match, England bounced back to defeat India in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, levelling the three-match series 1-1.
Chasing 234, Joe Root anchored the innings with a match-winning unbeaten 99 off 133 balls and shared a crucial 72-run stand with Will Jacks (30) after England had slumped to 125/5. Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 23 as England reached the target with nearly six overs to spare.
India made an excellent start with the ball, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Ben Duckett off the first ball of the innings and Prasidh Krishna removing Jacob Bethell early. Debutant Gurnoor Brar claimed two wickets, while Bumrah, Krishna, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, England's pace attack restricted India to 233 in 44 overs despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66).
Sharma scored 26 and Shubman Gill made 31, while Ishan Kishan, replacing the unwell KL Rahul, managed just one. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson starred with three wickets each, while Saqib Mahmood claimed two. The series will now be decided in the third and final ODI at Lord's on July 19.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Respect to Rohit as a player but 241 runs in 8 matches at 30 average is concerning. Even great players face rough patches, and it's okay to admit it. Hoping he bounces back at Lord's! 🙏
It's refreshing to see a coach back his player publicly. Rohit's record speaks for itself. India's batting depth is incredible too - Kohli and Iyer both scoring fifties shows that.
While I agree with Kotak's support, I think we need to be honest - Rohit's timing has been off for a while now. Maybe a break from ODIs could help? But dropping him before a major tournament would be harsh. #CaptainRohit 💙
Our bowling actually looked good today - Bumrah first ball wicket was 🔥 Gurnoor Brar on debut impressed me. But 233 was always going to be tough to defend. Need more from the top order!
Kotak's confidence in Rohit is understandable, but let's not pretend. A player averaging 30 over 8 matches is under pressure, whether admitted or not. Root showed how to anchor an innings today - that's the template.
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