India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has put his faith on senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli despite their flop show in the first ODI against Australia in Perth.
The Men in Blue lost the rain-marred fixture by seven wickets to concede 1-0 lead in the three-match series. In the game reduced to 26 overs per side, Rohit managed to score only eight runs while Kohli bagged a duck.
On the eve of the second ODI in Adelaide, Kotak dismissed concerns about their form, citing the IPL experience and thorough preparation.
"I don't think there was any rustiness. They played the IPL, and their preparation has been very good. I think both of them have a lot of experience. Even before coming to Australia, their preparations were very good. So I think it's too early to even think like that," Kotak told reporters on Wednesday (October 22).
The batting coach highlighted the veteran campaigners’ current form based on their practice sessions.
"They both look in very good touch to me. They batted really well yesterday. Every net session, their approach has been excellent," he added.
The team management stayed in touch with Rohit and Kohli during their prolonged hiatus from international cricket after the Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in March.
"We were very much aware of what preparations they were doing and their fitness status. They sometimes go to the National Cricket Academy. We get updates and videos from there, what they're doing, their practice routines, fitness work," Kotak explained.
He also opened up on the management's approach to handling senior players. "But not always, to be very honest. You need to find the right time to intervene. With such senior players, you don't want to intervene if it's not required. If they are doing things right and you still try to get involved, it may not be the right thing to do always," he said.
The frequent rain interruptions affected India’s chances of building momentum in the first ODI. After losing four wickets for just 45 runs, the tourists recovered to 136/9 in their 26 overs. However, the score was never going to challenge the world champions, especially after their target was revised to 131 using the DLS method.
"I think it would have been the same if Australia had batted first. When you don't know how many overs you're going to bat, it's not easy to plan with four or five rain breaks. Going in and out every few overs, it's difficult. I think it was more about weather, to be very honest. In the last game, obviously, we lost a couple of wickets early, but I'm not really thinking too much about it," Kotak stated.
The absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya due to a left quadriceps injury has opened doors for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was handed ODI debut cap in Perth.
"Someone like Hardik is always a big loss. But if we look at the positive side, Nitish is getting some game time and we're trying to groom him. Every team needs an all-rounder, and we're trying to develop him in that role. So it's a good preparation in that way. But yes, any team would miss a player like Hardik," Kotak said.
"In a way, if we look at in hindsight, it's a positive that Nitish is getting match time at this level," he added.
Commenting on Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from the playing XI, Kotak provided clarity. "He practices well, and they all know their turn will come. End of the day, only 11 can play, so you have to wait for your turn and then perform," he concluded.
