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Coach Backs Abhishek Sharma After T20 WC Ducks, Says "No Overanalysis"

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has thrown his support behind opener Abhishek Sharma despite the batter registering two ducks to start the T20 World Cup. Kotak emphasized that the team will not "unnecessarily overanalyse" these failures, noting that Sharma has his plans sorted. The coach pointed out that Sharma was also unwell with a stomach infection between matches, which led to him being hospitalized. Kotak stressed that in the high-risk T20 format, the focus remains on all batters, not just one individual.

Key Points: India's Batting Coach on Abhishek Sharma's T20 WC Form

  • Abhishek Sharma started T20 WC with two ducks
  • Battled stomach infection, missed a match
  • Coach Kotak backs his clear plan and mindset
  • Focus is on all batters in high-risk T20 format
  • Aiming for big score against Netherlands
3 min read

"We don't unnecessarily overanalyse...": Batting coach on Abhishek's two ducks during T20 WC

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak says Abhishek Sharma's two ducks won't be overanalysed, backing the batter to come good against Netherlands.

"We unnecessarily do not overanalyse because sometimes you only start making a lot of assumptions than the opposition are. - Sitanshu Kotak"

Ahmedabad, February 17

Ahead of his side's ICC T20 World Cup match against Netherlands, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backed Abhisek Sharma to come good after two ducks to start off his tournament, saying that his failures would not be "unnecessarily overanalysed" since the batter "has his plans sorted".

It has been a rocky start for the world's number one-ranked T20I batter as Abhishek got out for a duck in two matches he played against USA and arch-rivals Pakistan. In between these two matches, he faced a stomach infection, which led to him getting hospitalised and reportedly losing weight, ruling him out of Namibia clash in Delhi. Against Netherlands, the left-hander will be aiming to bow out with a massive score to his name and head into Super Eights with momentum.

Speaking during the pre-match presser, Sitanshu said, "Obviously, we plan (about how players' approach the game and their tempo), but he was not well, so he did not play the game (against Namibia), he got out in first over. So, one thing we definitely do, we unnecessarily do not overanalyse because sometimes you only start making a lot of assumptions than the opposition are."

"He is someone who has got his plan sorted and he follows the way he wants to. And obviously, we discuss about the opposition, their bowling, their bowling strength, whatever they have been doing in the last few games they have played. All that is normal for everyone, not only for Abhishek," he added.

Abhishek, who has made four ducks in his last seven innings and has had scores of 84, 68* and 30 in other matches, has full backing of his coach, who insists that the focus should be on all the batters, given the "high risk" nature of T20 cricket.

He said, "I think Abhishek, even before fell sick, made runs in recent matches. Now, in T20 format, sometimes in 10 balls, 30 runs are equally important. So, it is not that he did not make runs. Secondly, honestly, we focus on all the batters or all the players. We do not focus on just one player. Because in T20 format, it is a high-risk game. One or the other player will get out. If we start stressing so much, I think players will get unnecessary pressure. So, he is in a good form. He has got a clear plan. He has got a clear mindset. And that is what matters for us."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral cricket fan, I appreciate this balanced approach from the coaching staff. In T20, form is so volatile. Over-analysis can destroy a player's confidence. Hope he fires against the Netherlands!
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Rohit P
Four ducks in seven innings is a worrying stat, no matter how you slice it. Yes, he was ill, but the World Cup is about performing under pressure. We need our top batter to deliver, not just have "plans". Hope he proves me wrong!
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Ananya R
Completely agree with the coach. We forget he scored 84 and 68* just before this! T20 cricket is like that sometimes. One good innings and all will be forgotten. All the best, Abhishek! 💪
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Karthik V
The mental aspect is huge. If the team management is calm, it sends the right message to the player. Public pressure from our media and "experts" on social media doesn't help. Support from within is key.
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Priya S
Health comes first. Losing weight from an infection can really sap your strength. It's not an excuse, it's a fact. Hope he's fully recovered and ready to smash it in the Super Eights stage.

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