Sitanshu Kotak has been the batting coach at the NCA since 2019Image Source : X/CRICCRAZYJOHNS

Sitanshu Kotak to join India men's cricket team as batting coach ahead of England series: Report

After a disappointing Test series defeat against Australia, the Indian men's cricket team is set to host England in the white-ball series starting on January 22 and will be joined by the former first-class cricketer Sitanshi Kotak as a new batting coach.

by · India TV

The Indian men's cricket team is set to add the former first-class cricketer Sitanshi Kotak to its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming England series. Kotak is reportedly set to join the Indian camp as a new batting coach as the BCCI hosts England in the white-ball series starting on January 22.

The ESPNCricinfo reports that the former Saurashtra cricketer is set to join Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff ahead of the five-match T20I series against England. Kotak, 52, has been a batting coach at the National Cricket Academy since 2019.

After India's 3-1 Test series loss against Australia, the reports of the management looking to add a new member to their coaching staff emerged. India boast four senior staff members, including two assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate but were without a proper batting coach since the former head coach Rahu Dravid's departure. 

Indian batters struggled in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy which led to a heavy series defeat. Top cricketers Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubam Gill came under scrutiny for their performances against Australia. Kotak's addition to the coaching staff is expected to be the reason behind the lack of runs from the senior cricketers in red-ball cricket.

Team India's coaching staff

Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coaches) and T Dilip (fielding coach). 

India next take on England in the T20I and ODI series at home in their final preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue are drawn against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in group editor and will begin their campaign against the former on February 21. India will play all of their games in Dubai after the hosts PCB agreed to ICC's hybrid model upon the request from the BCCI. Dubai is also set to host the final if Rohit Sharma's men progress to the summit clash.