Ishan Kishan has built a reputation as a fearless stroke-maker who can change the course of a match within a few overs. The wicketkeeper-batter’s aggressive intent and natural confidence have once again put him in the spotlight as he makes a strong return to international cricket.
For India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, however, Ishan Kishan’s resurgence comes as no surprise. Having known him since his early days in age-group cricket, Sitanshu Kotak has closely followed his journey. Speaking ahead of India’s next World Cup match, the coach said Ishan Kishan has always been capable of delivering whenever given an opportunity.
Sitanshu Kotak recalled working with him during his time with the India A team in 2019 and even earlier in the 2016–17 IPL season with Gujarat Lions. According to him, Ishan Kishan has always been a confident cricketer who does not overthink situations. That fearless mindset, he believes, is perfectly suited for the T20 format. He described Ishan Kishan as a naturally gifted batter who can play shots all around the ground, making him extremely difficult for bowlers to control unless they manage to dismiss him early.
The conversation also turned to team combination ahead of India’s clash against the Netherlands. With India already through to the Super 8s, there were questions about whether key players like Jasprit Bumrah might be rested. Sitanshu Kotak indicated that the players themselves are not keen on taking a break, though the final decision would depend on discussions within the team management.
Jasprit Bumrah recently played a decisive role in India’s intense win over Pakistan, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha at crucial moments. His breakthroughs led to a collapse and a 61-run defeat for Pakistan. To keep him fresh for major games, the BCCI’s sports science team has been carefully managing his workload throughout the tournament.
Despite already qualifying, Sitanshu Kotak made it clear that India will not underestimate the Netherlands. He pointed out that this World Cup has shown how unpredictable the format can be, with any team capable of causing an upset. For India, every match still matters.
