TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes Rishabh Pant should continue playing his natural game and rejected suggestions that the wicketkeeper-batter alone needs to adjust his approach according to match situations.“I don’t think Rishabh alone has to play according to the situation. 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 own game with complete freedom,” Kotak said after India’s dominant showing in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.Kotak explained that while every player has the freedom to express themselves, the team’s requirements remain paramount.“When the team needs something specific in red-ball cricket, every batter 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 bowlers, changes gears and often tries things bowlers do not expect. That is his strength.”The batting coach felt Pant’s innings showcased exactly why he remains one of the most dangerous players in world cricket.“He may have missed out on a hundred or even more runs, but I thought he batted really well. KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan also batted exceptionally well.”Kotak was equally effusive in his praise for debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, whose impressive performance with both bat and ball vindicated the team’s faith in him.“He is a very good prospect and has been progressing through the system for the last few years. From Ranji Trophy to India Emerging and India A, he has consistently performed. The BCCI structure gives players exposure and opportunities, and Manav has made the most of them.”Having closely followed Suthar’s development, Kotak admitted he was never surprised by the youngster’s emergence.“Ever since I first saw him, I felt he would play for India one day. He is talented, hardworking, consistent and bowls really well. The timing of opportunities is never guaranteed, but he always looked like a player destined to represent India.”The coach defended India’s decision not to bat again after dismissing Afghanistan cheaply in the first innings.“Once they were bowled out for 151, everyone felt it was important to bowl again if they got out before lunch. There will be times when we need to bowl 100 or 120 overs in a Test match. It is not only about giving batters more practice. It is also about preparing bowlers, especially spinners, for long spells.”Kotak also highlighted Washington Sundar‘s maturity and professionalism.“Washington has been around the system for a long time. What impresses me most is that his work ethic never changes, whether he is playing, sitting out, batting or bowling. That consistency is why he keeps contributing whenever the team needs him.”Asked about teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Kotak said the 15-year-old’s talent was impossible to ignore.“The way he has played over the last two years, especially in the IPL against world-class bowlers, is unbelievable for someone so young. He is an exciting talent. Right now, the focus is to understand what helps him most and support his development without overloading him with changes.”
