'Playing only one format': Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma discuss 2027 World Cup plans with Gautam Gambhir? Batting coach reveals

Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to play an active role in India’s long-term plans for the ODI team, including preparations for next year’s World Cup, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Tuesday. Kotak said both batters, who remain central to India’s 50-over batting line-up, are fully aligned with the team management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir. "They definitely make plans. Now that they're playing only one format, they want India to win everywhere when they are there," Kotak said on the eve of India’s second ODI against New Zealand. "With the amount of experience they have, they can share a lot of ideas with other players, and they do discuss. They discuss with Gautam the ODI format, the matches that we have and our plans for South Africa." Kotak added: "Most of the time I'm there and if I'm listening, they definitely share the experience and I always see them talking. Obviously, on social media, you see a lot of things which I try to avoid seeing. But (from) what I see, there are a lot of positives." The relationship between Kohli, Rohit and the new coaching setup has been under discussion recently, particularly after India’s struggles in Tests and both batters’ decision to step away from red-ball cricket before last year’s England tour. Kotak said India would need to revise its ODI batting strategy once the T20 World Cup concludes in March, taking into account the new one-ball rule after the 34th over. Under the new rule, bowling teams must select one of the two balls to continue from overs 35-50. "It's still a huge difference between T20Is and ODIs. More or less every game is going over 300, particularly in India. We see more 300-plus scores and then (at times) you're chasing as well," Kotak said. "After (the) T20 World Cup, I think there'll definitely be more ODIs. We'll have to set up one template as to how we play after this new rule of (having) 34 overs only have one ball." Kotak also explained the rationale behind Ayush Badoni’s maiden call-up when Washington Sundar was ruled out. "He’s been performing and it’s (the) selectors who pick the team. If we had only five bowlers (in first ODI) and Washington got injured on fourth (or the) fifth over, then who would have bowled those overs?," Kotak said. "Somebody should be able to bowl four-five or (even) three-four overs, whatever (the situation) requires. I think that would be the reason (for his selection) and he has scored runs (and) he can bowl. He's been performing in IPL also," he added. Kotak dismissed concerns over Badoni’s recent lack of runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, saying a few low-scoring innings do not matter. “Our boys, (the) amount of cricket they play, I don't think for any batter two (or) three innings would make any difference, and it shouldn’t," he said.

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