Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is fit ahead of the third T20I on the England tour of India 2025.
Shami has been out of action for over a year and was included in the India squad for the ongoing series but has not made his international cricket.
At the pre-match conference, Kotak said Shami’s inclusion will depend on discussions between head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.
“Shami is fit, but the decision to play him depends on how the team management plans to build his workload,” Kotak explained.
He added that managing Shami’s workload ahead of key events such as the Champions Trophy starting on February 19, will be in the hands of Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“There is definitely a plan (for Shami) for coming matches as well and ODIs, but the coach Gautam and obviously Surya will take a call. And fitness, definitely not a problem depending on how they are planning to build this load,” Kotak added.
Shami underwent ankle surgery in February last year. Although there were calls for his inclusion in India’s Test squad for the series against Australia, he was unable to achieve full fitness in time despite participating in domestic cricket’s shorter format.
Meanwhile, the availability of Jasprit Bumrah for Champions Trophy will depend upon his fitness, and the Indian team management is priotising Mohammed Shami for the 50-over format.
Shami’s recovery and dedicated efforts to regain match fitness have left everyone involved highly impressed.
On the other hand, Sitanshu Kotak shared his plans for working with senior players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
He feels that his familiarity with the young players in the side gained through his time at the NCA and India A will be an advantage in his coaching stint.
The batting coach is equally eager to work the Stalwarts such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“Rohit and Virat are very senior players. The way they have performed and the amount of cricket they’ve played, there’s much to learn from them as well,” Sitanshu Kotak told reporters in the press conference.
“If I can add value, even by 2-5%, it would be a great thing. It’s all about understanding their mindset and plans and sharing inputs at the right time.”
India’s batting struggles particularly in tests, have raised questions about the players’ defensive techniques. Kotak ackowledged that the aggressive nature of T20 cricket has influenced batting styles but emphasized that defensive skills remain crucial in red-ball cricket.
“I wouldn’t say they can’t defend. It’s more about plans and mindset. Depending on the conditions—be it Australia, India, or the upcoming series in England—how well we plan and execute will be critical,” he noted.
India secured a 2-0 lead in the ongoing five match series and the thir match will be played on January 28 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Ground.
