India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has hinted that the hosts might make a change in the batting order in their do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe. India play Sikandar Raza’s side on Thursday, February 26. The co-hosts have their backs to the wall after their heavy loss against South Africa earlier in the Super 8 stage.
Speaking in Chennai a day ahead of the match, Kotak revealed that there are conversations about switching the batting line-up and giving Sanju Samson a look-in. The left-hand-heavy batting line-up of the Indian team has struggled throughout the tournament. Barring Ishan Kishan, both Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have struggled, leaving India scampering against spin in the middle overs of the game.
Off-spin bowling has exposed India’s issues in the top order, forcing the tall batting line-up to stutter for the majority of the innings. Kotak said that the team management has recognised the issue and are discussing potential changes that can be made.
“Yes, there can be changes. It goes without saying that we do discuss these things. We have two left-handed openers and a left-hander at number three, and opposition teams are bowling off-spinners. I personally don’t think there is any problem there. But, because we lost wickets in the first over in three games, any team would think,” Sitanshu Kotak said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, February 25.
“Obviously, we are thinking. Let’s see how it goes. We never decide the team early. Obviously, it’s not fair to start telling your plan in advance. But, definitely there will be thoughts,” he added.
‘DON’T WANT TO PUT PRESSURE ON ABHISHEK’
The Indian team’s 76-run loss against South Africa has pushed them back to the wall. Not only do India have to win two of their own matches, they would also have to hope for favourable results from South Africa and West Indies to qualify for the semi-final of the tournament.
However, that is going to be difficult if opener Abhishek Sharma continues his poor patch of form.
Speaking about the opener, Kotak said that he does not like to focus on one individual in the entire line-up. The batting coach said that while Abhishek has lacked momentum since coming back from illness, he would not like to put the batter under more pressure than he already is.
“Abhishek has gotten out three times (for a duck). His health was a concern. After that, he hasn’t had momentum. In the last game, he looked good. Overthinking about one individual, I don’t like it. We are playing with six batters and two all-rounders. We can’t be focusing too much on one individual. If we do that, that person will also be under pressure. When he was scoring hundreds, 70s and 80s in 20 balls, scoring hundreds in 40-50 balls, nobody was discussing that,” Sitanshu Kotak said.
“Our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind. Once he starts hitting the ball, you will see the same Abhishek again. I think it’s not far,” he concluded.
India play Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match is set to begin at 7 pm IST. India are likely to make at least one change in their line-up. Axar Patel is likely to replace Rinku Singh, while Samson might get a look-in as well.
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