India's Batting Coach Urges Team to Stay Positive Ahead of Crucial T20 Clash

As India prepares for a pivotal Super Eight match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. Following a disappointing loss, he urges the team to focus on preparation and strategy rather than individual failures. Kotak also addresses the team's batting struggles, highlighting the need for improvement while dismissing pitch conditions as a factor. With the stakes high, the Men in Blue must secure victories to keep their title defense alive.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 18:31 IST

Preparation for the Super Eight Match

Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, has called for a positive mindset as the team gears up for a critical Super Eight match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Thursday.

Following a disappointing 76-run defeat in their Super Eight opener, the defending champions find themselves in a precarious situation. To remain in contention for the title, India must secure victories in their upcoming matches and rely on South Africa to remain unbeaten throughout the Super Eight phase.

Batting Struggles Highlighted

India's batting lineup has faced significant challenges in the tournament, with an average of just 20 runs, the lowest among the Super 8 teams. The squad has also recorded 11 ducks, indicating their struggle to convert promising starts into meaningful scores.

'Worst Game in Two Years'

During a pre-match press conference, Kotak addressed the team's recent poor performance, stating, "In the past year and a half, we have rarely scored below 150 runs. The last match was concerning, but we should view it as an anomaly, the worst game we've played in two years. We need to move forward without dwelling on it too much. Our openers have not performed as expected in this World Cup."

Emphasis on Team Preparation

Kotak highlighted the importance of focusing on team preparation rather than individual shortcomings. He believes that excessive scrutiny on individual performances could lead to unnecessary pressure. Instead, he stressed the need for strategic planning and adapting to the opposition's bowling tactics.

"Ishan played exceptionally well against Pakistan, while Abhishek has faced a rough patch in a couple of games. I prefer to look ahead rather than stress over individual performances. We are actively preparing and discussing strategies to counter the opposition's bowling styles," he added.

Dismissal of Pitch Concerns

Kotak also downplayed concerns regarding pitch conditions affecting the team's batting performance in the T20 World Cup. He stated, "I don't believe we struggle on black soil. While slower pitches can be challenging, I don't think the wickets have been excessively slow. If we lose three wickets in a single over or score poorly, we shouldn't blame the pitch. We need to maintain a positive attitude and play better cricket. Aside from the last game, our performance has been reasonable."