Indian batting in disarray: If Rahul Dravid couldn't fix issues, how will Sitanshu Kotak?

The Indian cricket team doesn’t really have a dedicated batting coach for now. Even though there is a certain Abhishek Nayar, as the assistant coach, but his role is more tilted to working with the batters. Now, with epic failures of the team, especially the batters in the IND vs NZ series and the IND vs AUS series, it seems that the BCCI is now looking to hire India A coach Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach.

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BCCI unsatisfied with Gambhir’s coaching staff, adds Sitanshu Kotak as India batting coach for England T20Is

BCCI to Get Sitanshu Kotak as Batting Coach?

Sitanshu is a domestic giant from Saurashtra, has over 8000 runs in FC cricket, and since his retirement has enjoyed various positions as a coach. In fact, he was even in charge of the Indian team during the Ireland T20Is in 2023. But the question that should be asked is, if he would be able to fix the Indian team’s batting that is in total disarray at the moment. More so, if he could end dreadful run of Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.

Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma in Different Phases

InsideSport feels that Kotak’s coaching expertise might not just help them alone. Let us analyse the batting of these two legends in different periods. During 2014-19, when Sanjay Bangar was the batting coach, Virat Kohli was in his prime anyways, while Rohit was trying to make a mark as the Test batter. While, when Rahul Dravid took over, Virat struggled big time, Rohit flourished.

Player	Under Sanjay Bangar
Rohit Sharma	M – 28, R – 1808, AVG -42
Virat Kohli	M – 62, R – 5695, AVG – 58

Player	Under Rahul Dravid
Rohit Sharma	M – 19, R – 1090, AVG – 41.92
Virat Kohli	M – 17, R – 1083, AVG – 38.67

In the first period, Rohit played 28 Tests, scored 1808 runs at an average of 42, scored 4 tons. Since Rahul Dravid took over, in 19 Tests he scored 1090 runs at an average of 41.92. As for Virat, he was excellent during Bangar’s tenure — where he scored 5695 runs at an average of 58 in 62 Tests, and scored 22 tons. Under Dravid, in 17 Tests he scored 1083 runs at an average of 38.67 with only two tons.

If Rahul Dravid Couldn’t, Who Can?

So, does that mean, Bangar coached the team better than Dravid, or is it just the case of batsmen enjoying a purple patch during a period, and then struggling in the other? Yes, there certainly is a case; that Abhishek Nayar has not been able to work on the two batters’ glaring weaknesses, but how will Sitanshu Kotak counter them, is a question that the BCCI stakeholders need to ask.

Most importantly, one needs to understand, that Rahul Dravid, perhaps the most technically sound batter the nation has ever seen, couldn’t fix Virat’s weakness against the deliveries outside off, and Rohit’s struggles in the Tests, how can Kotak? There is a need to be rational in this moment of crisis and maybe Nayar should be persisted with.

Cricket India Cricket Team Rahul Dravid Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli