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TimesofIndia.com in Manchester: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media after Day 4 at Old Trafford, where India put up a brave fight to take the match into the final day. Speaking about the pitch and the plan for Day 5, Kotak said, “Wear and tear will be there, but nothing else. Both today and tomorrow, we need to take it hour by hour and session by session.” With India trailing by 137 runs and rain expected, the team remains hopeful of saving the Test.
Kotak was full of praise for the efforts of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, who stitched an unbroken 173-run stand to frustrate England. “They’ve shown belief and determination. Absolutely brilliant the way they batted. Rahul has been outstanding throughout the series,” he said. There was a brief moment of confusion when physios were delayed in attending to Rahul after he took a blow on the hand. Kotak clarified that “I don’t think the umpire denied it. He can’t say anything during the injury.”
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The coach confirmed that Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury earlier in the match, will bat on Day 5. On India dropping Karun Nair, Kotak refused to delve into selection matters. “Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill can talk about that. When Gill said we’ll back Karun, he would have meant as a batter. He didn’t do badly. He got starts.” India ended Day 4 on 174 for 2, still 137 behind. But thanks to Rahul and Gill, they’ve found belief.
