India don’t struggle on slow pitches: Sitanshu Kotak makes nonsense claim
Published - 25 Feb 2026, 05:30 PM | Updated - 25 Feb 2026, 05:33 PM
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The India National Cricket Team is on the verge of T20 World Cup 2026 elimination from the Super 8 round, but the batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, is busy making nonsense statements ahead of the do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26.
Sitanshu Kotak dismisses pitch concerns before Zimbabwe clash
Despite growing criticism over India’s batting struggles on slow and black-soil pitches in this T20 World Cup 2026, Kotak has brushed aside all concerns. He insisted that the Indian batters are not uncomfortable on such surfaces, but these slow tracks make batting tough for everyone.
Sitanshu Kotak said at the pre-match press conference, "I don't think we struggle on black soil. If pitches become slow in T20, batting becomes a struggle. If there's a collapse, we can't blame the surface. We have done reasonably well; there isn't much concern.”
Sitanshu Kotak also admitted that pressure is natural in big tournaments. He said tension and anxiety are part of a professional player's life, especially when chasing a World Cup title. However, the batting coach has full confidence in his team’s mental strength to deal with any situation.
The coach Sitanshu Kotak added, “When you go to bed there's pressure. There's always anxiety, but you learn to deal with it. For a professional, it is a part of their life and has to be dealt with positively. If we want to win the World Cup, we have to handle the pressure; there's nothing this team can't handle.”
Tough situation for Men in Blue after NRR takes a massive hit
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue are in big trouble in the T20 World Cup 2026 after their heavy 76-run loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad. That defeat has badly hurt their net run rate and made their road to the semifinals very difficult in the ongoing showpiece event.
Now the situation is very simple. India must win both their remaining Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and West Indies on March 1 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. If they lose even one match, the defending champions’ journey will end in the tournament.
If India wins both games and South Africa also wins all their matches, then both teams will qualify. South Africa will finish with six points, and India will finish with four. In that case, the West Indies and Zimbabwe will be out. But if results change, then net run rate will decide.
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Right now, India’s net run rate is -3.800, which is very poor. So, the Men in Blue need big wins to have any chance to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals.
‘Too many brains?’ Michael Vaughan questions India’s think tank
Recently, former England captain Michael Vaughan slammed the Indian cricket team management for their selection call following the 76-run loss to South Africa.
Vaughan said on Cricbuzz, “There are so many in the backroom. There are so many analysts, there are so many scientists—too many brains—and sometimes the brains overcomplicate life. When you've been winning, playing well, and Axar has been doing great. I want to know the person who was around that board meeting and went, 'I think we should play Washington Sundar.'”
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