India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) played down speculation about an alleged communication breakdown between senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, stressing that the experienced duo remains deeply involved in discussions around team planning.
“The amount of experience they (Rohit and Kohli) have, they can share a lot of ideas with other players and they do discuss. They discuss with Gautam about the ODI format, about the matches we have, our plans going to South Africa (for the World Cup),” Kotak said while addressing the media here on Tuesday (January 13, 2026).
“Most of the time, I am there and if I am listening, they definitely share the experience and I always see them talking. Obviously, in social media, you see a lot of things which I try to avoid seeing.”
Kotak was responding to a query on how the team management is handling Kohli and Rohit operating as single-format specialists at a time when ODIs are the least played format in international cricket.
He explained that given their stature and experience, the duo requires minimal external guidance, particularly when it comes to preparation and workload management.
“Both of them are so senior and so experienced. They definitely make plans. They want to practice at all the venues. If they feel they need to, they go a couple of days in advance. And they practice because they both also have been such outstanding players for India,” Kotak said.
“Planning-wise and all, they are brilliant. They know what they need to do. They know what their body needs, not only batting, even fitness, whatever requirements they have, so they are thorough professionals. I don’t think they need to be told they need to do this or that”.
