Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that he had predicted that the Indian skipper Shubman Gill would score his second ODI double ton when he was batting on 115-120 runs in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after India’s thumping eight-wicket win to seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series, Kotak opened up about his thoughts on Gill’s exceptional unbeaten 223 off 133 balls in the 406-run chase.
“One of the best I have seen in ODI cricket. You may say it was a good batting wicket. But, when they got 400, I was also thinking that maybe we play 30 overs well. Last 20 overs, we can get 160-170. That wasn’t the case. The way Shubman and Rohit [Sharma] batted and also [Virat] Kohli. At 320 after 32 overs, the game was more or less over,” Sitanshu Kotak said after the game.
“It was unbelievable the way Gill batted. It was just great to watch that batting display. When Gill was on 115-120, I felt he would get 200. That hunger from the batsman is important to play an innings like this,” he added.
Further, Kotak reckoned that the surface in Guwahati should have been equally balanced for both batters and bowlers. Interestingly, more than 800 runs were scored across both innings in the second ODI.
“There was not a lot for the bowlers. We wish that it is equally balanced. Like I said, maybe 300 runs wicket and other team have to fight hard to get that 300, 320 (is ideal). The outfield is quick. 20, 30, 40 runs go there. Particularly in today’s game, yes, you do feel for the bowlers,” he concluded.
The action now shifts to the third and final ODI at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, October 3.
