In the first ODI match against Australia, Team India stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma endured a poor outing with the willow, but batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is not much worried about the duo`s form.
Speaking on their form, Kotak said that their preparations have been very good.
“I don`t think there was any rustiness (in Rohit and Kohli`s batting). They played the IPL, and their preparation has been very good. I think both of them have a lot of experience,” he said.
He also said that Virat and Rohit looked in good touch with the willow, and their approach in the net session has been excellent.
“Even before coming to Australia, their preparations were very good. So I think it`s too early to even think like that (worry about their form). They both look in very good touch to me. They batted really well yesterday. Every net session, their approach has been excellent,” added the batting coach.
The “Men in Blue” under the leadership of Shubman Gill suffered a loss by seven wickets at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Gill was appointed as new captain after replacing Rohit in the role.
The second game is scheduled to be played at the Adelaide Oval on October 23.
At the stadium, Kohli is India`s highest run-scorer of all time. Having played 12 matches at the venue, the right-hander has scored 975 runs, with an average of 65.
He also has five centuries and four half-centuries, with a top score of 141 runs.
The Delhi-born cricketer is the best visiting batsman of all time at the venue, and Adelaide is his home away from home.
After enduring a disappointing outing in the first ODI match against the Aussies, Kohli will be looking to put on a big score in the second match.
In what was his international comeback, the right-hander returned to the pavilion on an eight-ball duck in the first match.
Fans across the globe would be expecting to witness a Virat Kohli masterclass. The series will act as a crucial contest for him to keep his place secured in India`s One-Day Internationals (ODI) set-up.
(With PTI Inputs)