India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has strongly defended Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting style, praising his crucial role in India’s recent dominant Test victory over England at Edgbaston.
India’s Big Win and Key Performers
Team India secured a resounding 336-run victory against England in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. This win at Edgbaston was a vital comeback after losing the first Test at Headingley, where Rishabh Pant had already showcased his batting prowess with twin centuries.
The monumental target of 608 runs set by India was largely thanks to captain Shubman Gill’s double century in the first innings and a crucial 161-run knock in the second. England’s chase faltered, as they were bowled out for 271, giving India a well-deserved win.
Kotak Defends Pant’s Flamboyance
Sitanshu Kotak specifically highlighted wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant’s unique “risk-and-reward” approach to batting. He emphasized how essential it is to have players who can disrupt the opposition’s rhythm and swing the momentum in a game.
“Every team will have some aggressive players who are very good at breaking the opposition’s momentum. So, someone like Jaiswal, who plays the way he plays; someone like Rishabh,” Kotak stated during a practice session ahead of the third Test at Lord’s.
Kotak pointed out that while Pant’s audacious shots sometimes look bad when they don’t come off, they are celebrated as “entertaining innings” when successful. He believes every strong batting lineup benefits from having a few players with a different, more attacking style.
More Than Just ‘In-The-Moment’
The batting coach also dismissed the common perception that Pant acts purely on instinct without much thought. He revealed that Pant is very deliberate about his shot selection and discusses his approach extensively with the coaching staff.
“Rishabh actually talks a lot about what he does with bat, when he does, why he does it with me,” Kotak explained. He added that Pant prefers not to talk too much during his innings, believing it can disrupt his mindset and lead to poor decisions.
Pant’s Stellar Contributions
Rishabh Pant has been a standout performer in the series, currently ranking as the third-highest run-scorer with 342 runs. His twin centuries in the Leeds Test marked a significant milestone, making him only the second wicket-keeper batter in Test history to achieve this feat.
Among Indian batters, only captain Shubman Gill, who has been in sensational form, has scored more runs than Pant in the series.
Gill’s Leadership and Lord’s Pitch Analysis
Speaking about Shubman Gill, Kotak noted that his captaincy hasn’t changed his fundamental approach to batting. He did, however, mention observing some technical adjustments in Gill’s game since the Australia series and initial practice matches.
Looking ahead to the Lord’s Test, Kotak discussed the pitch conditions. He observed that the wicket appeared “bit greener” than in the previous two games. Lord’s generally favors bowlers, with lower first and second innings scores, suggesting batters will need to spend significant time at the crease to adjust and succeed.
- Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting is a strategic asset for India, according to coach Sitanshu Kotak.
- Pant’s bold approach is thoughtful and deliberate, not just impulsive.
- India secured a significant 336-run win over England at Edgbaston, driven by key contributions from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.
- The upcoming Lord’s Test pitch is expected to be bowler-friendly.
The team will be looking to carry this winning momentum into the crucial third Test at Lord’s, with all eyes on their dynamic batting lineup.
