Fri Jan 17 16:15:30 UTC 2025: ## Domestic Cricket Legend Appointed India’s New Batting Coach
**Kolkata, India –** The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Sitanshu Kotak as the new batting coach for the Indian national team, ending speculation that former England batsman Kevin Pietersen would fill the role. Kotak, a highly respected figure in Indian domestic cricket, will take up the position ahead of the upcoming home series against England, starting January 22nd.
The decision follows a string of disappointing performances by India’s batting line-up, including a recent whitewash against New Zealand and a 1-3 series loss in Australia. While head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar have been handling batting duties in the interim, the BCCI opted for a specialist coach to address the team’s struggles.
Kotak, a 52-year-old former Saurashtra captain, boasts an impressive first-class record with over 8000 runs. His coaching career includes stints with Saurashtra, the National Cricket Academy, the now-defunct Gujarat Lions (IPL), and most recently, as India A’s batting coach during their tour of Australia. He also served as the interim head coach for India’s T20I series in Ireland last August.
The team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will begin a three-day camp in Kolkata on January 18th before the start of the five-match T20I and three-match ODI series against England. Kotak’s appointment is seen as a crucial step in preparing the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
First Piper 