TimesofIndia.com at Milanpur: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotick believes. Rishabh Pant Must continue to play his natural game and dismissed suggestions that the wicket-keeper batsman needed to adjust his approach to match conditions.Kotick said after India’s dominant performance in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, “I don’t think Rishabh should play according to the situation alone. Every player has a different style. Sai Sudharsan plays differently, Shubman Gill plays differently, KL Rahul plays differently and Rishabh plays differently. What we want is for everyone to play their game with complete freedom.”Kotak explained that while every player has the freedom to express themselves, the needs of the team are paramount.“When the team needs something special in red-ball cricket, every batsman has to respond to that need. But Rishabh is a senior player who understands the game. Why would anyone tell him how to bat? He reads the bowlers, changes gears and often tries things the bowlers don’t expect. That’s his strength.”The batting coach felt that Pant’s innings perfectly reflected why he is one of the most dangerous players in world cricket.“He may have missed out on a hundred or so, but I thought he batted really well. KL Rahul, Shibman Gill and Sai Sudharsan also batted exceptionally well.”Kotick was equally effusive in his praise of debutant left-arm spinner Manav Sothar, whose impressive performances with both bat and ball proved the team’s faith in him.“He’s a great prospect and has been progressing through the system over the last few years. From Ranji Trophy to India Emerging and India A, he performed consistently. The BCCI structure provides exposure and opportunities to players, and Manu has made the most of them.”Having watched Suther’s development closely, Kotak admits that he was never surprised by the youngster’s emergence.“From the first time I saw him, I thought he would play for India one day. The timing of opportunities is never guaranteed, but he always looks like a player representing India.”The coach defended India’s decision not to bat again after dismissing Afghanistan cheaply in the first innings.“Once he got out for 151, everyone realized that if he gets out before lunch, it’s important to bowl again. There will be times when we need to bowl 100 or 120 overs in a Test match. It’s not just about giving the batsmen more practice. It’s also about preparing the bowlers, especially the spinners, for longer spells.”Kotak also shed light. Washington SundarMaturity and professionalism.“Washington has been around the system for a long time. What impressed me the most is that his work ethic never changes, whether he’s playing, sitting out, batting or bowling. That’s why he continues to contribute whenever the team needs him.”Asked about teenage sensation Vabhu Suryavanshi, Kotak said the 15-year-old’s talent is impossible to ignore.“The way he has played in the last two years, especially against world-class bowlers in the IPL, is incredible for someone so young. He is an exciting talent. Right now, the focus is on understanding what helps him the most and supporting his development without burdening him with changes.”
