'He makes his own plans': India coach opens up on Rishabh Pant's unique century

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Rishabh Pant for his brilliant century on Day 2 of the first Test against England at Headingley. Kotak said that Pant’s knock was a bit different from his usual explosive style but lauded the wicketkeeper-batter for helping India post a strong total.  

Pant smashed 134 off 178 balls , hitting 12 fours and six sixes, and looked in complete control for most of his innings. He joined Shubman Gill (147) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) as the third Indian centurion in the innings. Kotak acknowledged that Pant is someone who makes his plans when it comes to batting.

“Rishabh Pant is someone who makes his own plans. He decides how to play and then he goes for it,” Kotak said at the press conference after stumps. “This innings was a little different than what you normally see from him. But that’s his plan. Just because he plays aggressive cricket doesn’t mean he cannot play defensive.”

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India had started the day strongly, with Gill and Pant helping the side go past 400 . However, things fell apart quickly after both set batters were dismissed in quick succession. After that, India lost seven wickets for just 41 runs. Kotak spoke about the collapse and said that the team could have done better towards the end.

“It was a bit of a collapse, I would say, because batsmen were also there. From 430 for three to 471 all out, batsmen also got out in it, isn’t it? So, it wasn’t only the last five; it was a bit of a collapse. We were expecting better than that, but it can happen,” he said.

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Kotak lauds Shubman Gill

Kotak said a busy calendar in the last few months did not give him a lot of time to work with skipper Shubman Gill, who he thought has worked on certain areas since the end of Australia tour.

“After Australia (tour) he has thought (about) certain things which he implemented,” Kotak said.

“Because after (the) Australia (tour) and England series (followed by) Champions Trophy and then we had IPL, I wouldn’t say that I had a lot of time to do things (with Gill).”

“But obviously, he worked on certain things and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I did speak to him that ‘you made certain changes’ and he said yes. A lot of credit to him for analysing what he needs to do and I think he did it really well,” Kotak said.

Kotak dismissed complacency in India’s approach given that they ended the first day’s play in a commanding position at 359 for three.

“I don’t think I saw complacency. But I think after 350 for three, you expect to get a big score because that time you are sitting in a comfortable position. I don’t think people were satisfied at all,” he said.

“It is just (how) they (England) bowled well and (there were also a) couple of soft dismissals.

“After losing the toss the way we batted it was very good because at Headingley, normally on Day One, a lot of wickets get taken by the bowling side and results also show the same so we batted well on the first day,” he added.

Kotak on Bumrah’s wicket off a no-ball

In the final minutes of the second day’s play, Jasprit Bumrah (3/48) overstepped on a delivery which he had Harry Brook caught at midwicket.

“Normally, it doesn’t happen, but it was a bit unfortunate. But I think, as a group of support staff or as a team also, it is one of those things which happen,” he said.

“We have been bowling well, apart from little patches where we (gave away) a few runs. All in all, it was very good and the wicket is also looking good; something (is) happening off the wicket,” he said.

(With agency inputs)