Sitanshu Kotak doesn’t feel anything has changed for Shubman Gill due to captaincy amid series against England

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has denied that the extra responsibility of captaincy has aided Shubman Gill in his batting in the ongoing series against England. Kotak reckons a change in Gill’s mindset and a change in technique has helped the Indian captain savor success in English conditions.

Gill has been in fantastic form in the five-match series, amassing 585 runs in two Test matches at a splendid average of 146.25. The 25-year-old returned with scores of 269 and 161 in the second Test at Edgbaston to play a key role in India’s historic win of 336 runs. 

Sitanshu Kotak said in the press conference, “I don’t feel anything has changed due to captaincy. The difference is in his mindset. Definitely, there are technical changes, but it’s a lot more about his mindset. He wants to spend time at the wicket. His skill is such that he can convert loose balls into boundaries. He can hit a hundred in 140-150 balls.”

Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes recently said the Edgbaston pitch felt like a sub-continent track. However, Kotak disagreed with the English skipper as he said there was some assistance for the bowlers.

Kotak said, “Personally, I did not feel like it was a sub-continent type wicket. When our bowlers bowled, the ball moved. Even in the second innings, after 40 overs, the ball was moving. It did spin on the last day. But if you create such a hard wicket with grass, there might not be rough, but there would definitely be footmarks and Ravindra Jadeja made the ball spin. Overall, I feel they [England] tried to make a hard-batting wicket.”

On the other hand, Kotak reckons the Lord’s pitch will be a little more challenging for the batters as the pitch is green.

“The pitch looks green, but we will get a better idea after they cut grass tomorrow.. One can expect a little more help for bowlers. It will be a little more challenging for batters, but mindset will be the key. But, if you bat well, it’s fine. If you don’t bat well, any wicket is challenging.”

The third Test match between India and England will be played at Lord’s, London from 10th July onwards.