India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has hinted that the hosts might change their batting order in their clash with Zimbabwe. India play Sikandar Raza’s team on Thursday, February 26. The co-hosts have their backs against the wall after a heavy defeat against South Africa earlier in the Super 8 stage.
Speaking in Chennai a day before the match, Kotak revealed that there are talks about changing the batting line-up and looking at Sanju Samson. The left-handed batting line-up of the Indian team struggled throughout the tournament. Apart from Ishan Kishan, both Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma struggled, leaving India running against spin in the middle game.
The off-spin bowling exposed India’s top-order problems, forcing the tall batsmen to stutter for most of the innings. Kotak said the team management has recognized the issue and is discussing possible changes that can be made.
“Yes, there can be changes. Obviously we are discussing these things. We have two left-handed openers and a left-hander at number three and the opposition teams are bowling off-spin. I personally don’t think there will be any problem. But having lost wickets in the first match of the three matches, every team would have thought,” Sitanshu Kotak said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, February 2.
“Of course we’re thinking. We’ll see how it goes. We never decide on a team prematurely. Obviously, it’s not fair to start communicating your plan in advance. But there will definitely be thoughts,” he added.
‘I DON’T WANT TO PRESSURE ON ABHISHEK’
The Indian team’s loss to South Africa by 76 runs pushed them back to the wall. Not only do India have to win two of their own matches, they also have to hope for favorable results from South Africa and the West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
However, this will be difficult if opener Abhishek Sharma continues his poor form.
About the opener, Kotak said that he doesn’t like to focus on one individual in the entire line-up. The batting coach said that while Abhishek has lacked momentum after returning from illness, he would not want to put the batsmen under more pressure than they already are.
“Abhishek got out three times (for a duck). His health was a concern. He had no power after that. He looked good in the last match. Overthinking about one individual, I don’t like that. We play with six batsmen and two all-rounders. We can’t focus too much on one individual. When we do that, that person will be under pressure. When there are 07 points, there will also be 07 points. in 20 balls, scoring hundreds in 40-50 balls, nobody discussed it,” said Sitanshu Kotak.
“Our job is to keep him in good spirits. Once he starts hitting the ball, you will see the same Abhishek again. I think it is not far,” he concluded.
India play Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match is scheduled to start at 19:00 IST. India are likely to make at least one change in their line-up. Axar Patel is likely to replace Rinka Singh while Samson could also get a look.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 25, 2026
