India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday (October 23, 2026) lavished praise on openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, saying that apart from “power, talent and intent”, the two big-hitters also have immense control on their minds.
Naman Dhir fits into team’s T20 World Cup plans
Kotak said the team management should be appreciated for sticking to Samson and Abhishek despite the social media-fuelled clamour for the inclusion of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the expense of the in-form duo. His unbeaten 42 off 15 balls in the first match against New Zealand on Thursday helped India pull off their highest chase in T20 cricket. “Naman Dhir, the way he batted in the last 6-8 balls in the Bangalore match.
Because, people want to play their own 11. “…there is a lot of speculation in social media about the three openers. So, sometimes, social media should also appreciate that the team management calls are for the good of the team. “Sanju is outstanding, he is a power-packed player. There are so many runs (to chase). If you ever put yourself in the place of a batsman and think that you have to hit three or four sixes in the first two overs, you will also be afraid of getting out. We know that he is capable of doing that. And, he is capable of bowling more than probably he has bowled even in first class cricket or Vijay Hazare.
It doesn’t work like that,” said Kotak on the eve of the second T20I. Kotak said the hype was not good for a young player like Sooryavanshi. Kotak said that Sooryavanshi knows why he is not in the playing XI, and is learning the ropes in the team environment. Kotak said Naman has become an important member of the side. He is a very exciting talent,” said Kotak.
Naman Dhir made his T20I debut earlier this month and he has played six games so far. The way he approached the game yesterday.