NZ v IND 2026: “He is never under pressure, never lets the team down”- Sitanshu Kotak richly praises 'team man' KL Rahul

India will play New Zealand in the third ODI on November 10 in Hamilton.

India's assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak has expressed strong admiration for KL Rahul's capacity to adjust to the team's needs, stating that the experienced batter is invaluable and has time and again demonstrated his versatility on difficult tracks. His words came ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand, which is scheduled in Hamilton on November 10.

Rahul is a capable Test opener, bats in the middle order in ODIs, and is able to change gears effectively during the death overs. He has endured very few failures in 50-over cricket, something that has not escaped Kotak's attention.

"I think KL Rahul's biggest advantage is that he can open in red-ball cricket and bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket. Whenever required, he can also go with five overs left. His record there is also very good. So, he plays according to the team's needs," Kotak said on the eve of the third ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park.

Kotak further highlighted Rahul's consistency and his knack for delivering whenever an opportunity comes his way, noting that he seldom lets the team down. Rahul's unbeaten 26 on a challenging Wellington pitch in the second ODI once again highlighted his worth as a versatile batter capable of adjusting to the situation's demands.

Highlighting Rahul's impressive calmness in challenging circumstances, the assistant coach remarked that his composed presence at the crease ranks among his greatest strengths.

"Since I have joined, I cannot remember many matches in which he has had an opportunity to bat but has not contributed. He has played some unbelievable innings, and he never looks under pressure. If you notice, I have never seen KL under pressure. You always see him looking very stable. Most of the time, probably all the time, he has never let the team down," he said.

Beyond his temperament, Kotak commended Rahul's skill at manipulating the field and shifting between accumulation and aggression based on what the team needed.

"It is brilliant to have someone like him who has experience, temperament, and the ability to rotate the strike, hit boundaries, and, when required, easily hit a few sixes. That's a great thing to have," he said.

KL Rahul has played 103 ODIs, scoring 3570 runs at an average of 51.73 and a strike rate of 92.10, with 9 centuries and 20 fifties and the best score of 129*.

(PTI inputs)