Not rusty! India batting coach opens up on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharmas failure in 1st ODI against Australia
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after they failed in their comeback match against Australia in the 1st ODI in Perth.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli weren't rusty as he defended the senior batters after they failed in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. Both Rohit and Kohli failed to fire on their comeback as they were dismissed cheaply, raising questions about their form after returning to international cricket following a seven-month break.
Kotak insisted that both Rohit and Kohli had prepared well heading into the series, and their failure doesn't mean they were rusty. He also suggested that conclusions should not be drawn from just one game, as he backed the duo to bounce back in the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Thursday.
Making their much-awaited comeback for India after seven months, Kohli and Rohit didn't last long in the middle as they were both dismissed cheaply in the series opener in Perth. Rohit was dismissed on 8 after edging a delivery from Josh Hazlewood to the second slip, while Kohli was removed on an 8-ball duck after a poor shot against an outside off delivery from Mitchell Starc.
Despite the duo's failures and a dismal display from India's top order in general, batting coach Kotak defended the batters. He insisted that the bad weather and frequent interruptions during the rain-curtailed match played a role in India's poor show with the bat. India were skittled out for 136 runs in 26 overs in the rain-affected contest.
"I don’t think so," said Kotak at the pre-match presser, when asked if Rohit and Kohli looked rusty in the 1st ODI in Perth.
"They played the IPL. The preparation has been very good. I think it was the weather. It would have been the same if Australia had come out to bat. It is not easy when there are four or five interruptions and every two overs you are going in and coming back out," he added.
Kotak also provided insights into Kohli and Rohit's preparations heading into the series and revealed that the duo's fitness and training were constantly monitored by the BCCI staff at the Centre of Excellence. When asked if he needed to step in to guide the duo, Kotak said both senior batters are well experienced and that patience is the key with such players, as they know how to do the right things to get back among the runs.
"Both of them are very experienced. Before coming to Australia, they had proper preparation. I think it’s too early to judge them. They just retired from Test cricket. Coming into the series, we were aware of their fitness levels and the preparation work they had been doing. We had access to their videos from the NCA. With such senior players, you do not need to step in right away if you see they are doing the right things. If you try to get involved too much, that might not be the best approach," Kotak told reporters.
Rohit, Kohli sweat it out in the nets ahead of 2nd ODI
Rohit and Kohli worked hard in the nets during India's training session at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Kohli had an intense net session of around 45 minutes, where he faced the Indian bowlers and throw-down specialists. Rohit, meanwhile, worked on his technique against hard-length deliveries to prepare for Hazlewood.
The senior duo will be hoping to bounce back to form when they take the field in the 2nd ODI against Australia at the venue on Thursday. After going 1-0 down in the series, Shubman Gill-led India will look to level the series when they take on the hosts in the 2nd ODI. Gill, who also failed to deliver in the opener, will be hoping to let his bat do the talking in the next game.