Sitanshu Kotak backs under-fire Suryakumar Yadav, says we expect a lot

Newly appointed India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has put his weight behind under-fire Suryakumar Yadav to come good in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. SKY has returned with scores of 0 and 12 in the first two matches but Kotak highlighted that the Indian skipper is playing selfless cricket.

India has taken a 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first two matches by seven and two wickets respectively. Meanwhile, SKY’s last five T20I innings read as 12, 0, 1, 4, and 21 and thus he hasn’t been at his best in the recent past.

Kotak told reporters on Monday, “Surya, I think he is performing, but sometimes I feel we also expect a lot. Every game, if we think Surya will perform (that is not okay). The game has become so aggressive, there is so much intent we have to play in the T20s, there will be a time when they get out because they are playing fearless (cricket).”

“Because if you want to score 200-225, you cannot play cricket where you are trying to save your wickets. Both things do not go hand in hand. He plays a brand of cricket for the team which is very, very selfless, and that is what he tells the batters as well. There are games he will perform, and there are games where he will not,” Kotak added.

The Indian batting coach reckons a big knock from Yadav’s blade is on the cards.

“I think that he has been batting with the same flow, I would not say there is any change really. But plan-wise, opposition sides will bowl in areas (to target him), but he is very smart and will read that, and practice according to that. I think, touchwood (he would score) in this game,” he added.

SKY would look to be at his best in the third T20I against England. The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.