Christchurch, Oct 24:
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has praised Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for their fearless approach and mental control, saying the two opening batters possess more than just power, talent and attacking intent. His remarks came ahead of India’s second T20 International against New Zealand on Saturday.
Kotak also backed the team management’s decision to continue supporting Samson and Abhishek despite calls on social media for the inclusion of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The coach said the management deserved credit for standing by the established opening combination rather than reacting to outside pressure.
India’s decision came after the team began the five-match series with a four-wicket victory in the opening match. Samson and Abhishek have been entrusted with providing aggressive starts, and the team management has emphasised the importance of consistency and confidence in their roles.
However, Ishan Kishan’s injury has opened up a possible opportunity for Sooryavanshi. The wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the second T20I after sustaining a low-grade right adductor strain in the series opener. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress, with no specific recovery timeline announced.