India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak denied claims of any ‘agenda’ in India’s team selection, backing Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav for putting the team’s needs first.
Published: September 13, 2025 12:14 PM IST
New Delhi: India’s men’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has denied any bias or favoritism in team selection. He stated that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav always prioritize what’s best for the team. Kotak added that the whole squad is aware of this, and even players on the bench also supports all the decision.
Kotak while answering a question related to Arshdeep Singh missing India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE on Wednesday said, India’s leading T20I wicket-taker was left on the bench as the team decided to go with only one specialist pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, along with two specialist spinners and three all-rounders.
Kotak opens up on Arshdeep Singh mising India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener
The strategy worked perfectly on the turning pitch, as UAE’s batting collapsed in just 13.1 overs, and they managed to score only 57 runs. India secured a convincing 9-wickets victory over UAE.
“The first discussion we have with the head coach and the captain is that obviously, these 15 are like this, everyone deserves to play,” Kotak said on Friday, as quoted by PTI. “If any player is not playing, it will be difficult for him because he will feel [left] out. But, at the end of the day, it’s a team sport. So, everyone knows that there is no agenda, there is no personal liking, disliking. Whatever is best for the team, the captain and head coach will decide and do that. And I don’t think there is any doubt in anybody’s mind. So, whoever is not playing, they are always trying to help the guys who are playing,” he added.
Sitanshu Kotak mentioned every batter is ready bat wherever the requires
Another move that sparked controversy on social media was Sanju Samson’s demotion to the middle order. Samson had been performing exceptionally well as an opener before the Asia Cup, but with Shubman Gill’s return to the squad and his vice-captaincy responsibilities, either Samson or Abhishek Sharma had to be shifted. Kotak justified the decision, stating that every batter is ready to bat wherever the team requires.
“See, Sanju has not batted a lot at No. 5 or 6. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t do it. So, I think Sanju is a good enough player to bat at any number. So, according to the requirement of the team, captain and head coach will decide. And he is more than happy to bat at any number,” Kotak said.
“If you look at our batting line-up, everyone is capable of going in at any number and finish the match. Although we have four-five such aggressive players, the head coach or captain can decide according to the situation. More or less, everyone is prepared to bat at any number. Sanju, in the last match, he would have batted at number 5. In the next match, he can bat at any number. So, it is not fixed. Everyone knows their role. So, they will be ready according to the situation,” he added.
India will play against their arch-rival Pakistan on Sunday in their second group-stage match.
Story Highlight
- Sitanshu Kotak, has denied any bias or favoritism in team selection and said that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav always prioritize what’s best for the team.
- Kotak said Arshdeep was left on the bench as the team decided to go with only one specialist pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, along with two specialist spinners and three all-rounders.
- The strategy worked perfectly on the turning pitch, as UAE’s batting collapsed in just 13.1 overs, and they managed to score only 57 runs.
- While talking about Sanju Samson demotion Sitanshu Kotak said that every batter is ready to bat wherever the team requires.
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