{"id":2889,"date":"2026-10-23T08:37:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/2026\/10\/23\/india-batting-coach-praises-samson-warns-sooryavanshi-hype\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T08:37:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:37:25","slug":"india-batting-coach-praises-samson-warns-sooryavanshi-hype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/2026\/10\/23\/india-batting-coach-praises-samson-warns-sooryavanshi-hype\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s batting coach praises Samson\u2019s confidence, warns against Sooryavanshi hype after New\u00a0Zealand win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Quick Adsense WordPress Plugin: http:\/\/quickadsense.com\/ -->\n<div class=\"9fece8afa224fd09e54b043d0febfb58\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- NR ATF -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8898941184964366\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4839033563\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>India clinched a four\u2011wicket triumph over New Zealand in Christchurch, chasing a target of 226 with a blend of power hitting and composure. In the aftermath, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted a surge in belief among the team\u2019s batters, describing it as \u201cunbelievable\u201d and underscoring the mental shift that has accompanied the recent run\u2011heavy scores.<\/p>\n<h2>Samson\u2019s match\u2011winning knock fuels belief<\/h2>\n<p>The opening partnership set the tone when Sanju Samson produced a blistering 67 runs from just 33 deliveries. His innings formed part of a 93\u2011run stand in the Powerplay, smoothing the path to the required total and allowing India to stay comfortably ahead of the required run rate. Kotak praised Samson as an \u201coutstanding, power\u2011packed player\u201d and used the performance to illustrate a broader narrative about batter confidence.<\/p>\n<p>According to the coach, the modern batter often feels pressured to launch multiple sixes in the first two overs, a mindset that can breed anxiety and lead to early dismissals. Kotak explained that when a player is dismissed in consecutive games, fear can dominate the third match, potentially jeopardising selection. He noted that Samson\u2019s ability to overcome that pressure, combine raw power with clear intent, and maintain mental control is a sign of a fearless attitude that excites the coaching staff.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe way they are showing intent, controlling their mind, that is something amazing,\u201d Kotak said, emphasizing that the blend of talent, power and psychological resilience is now evident across the batting line\u2011up.<\/p>\n<h2>Sooryavanshi\u2019s development under the spotlight<\/h2>\n<p>One of the recurring themes ahead of the series was the limited game time afforded to teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Drafted into the national side after a strong IPL campaign, he has primarily served as a reserve for the opening positions. Team captain Shreyas Iyer previously described the period as a learning curve for the youngster.<\/p>\n<p>Kotak, speaking on Thursday, cautioned against allowing public and media hype to dictate selection decisions. He acknowledged Sooryavanshi\u2019s talent and the affection he enjoys from fans, teammates and social media, but warned that \u201cyou can\u2019t make changes in the playing 11\u201d solely on that basis.<\/p>\n<p>The coach admitted that early in the series there was \u201ca lot of hype\u201d suggesting the teenager should be playing, and that such expectations could be detrimental for a player still in his mid\u2011teens. He stressed that the pressure of constant speculation could cause a young athlete to doubt his place, especially when he is not in the starting XI.<\/p>\n<p>According to Kotak, Sooryavanshi has matured since those initial weeks, observing senior players like Samson and Abhishek Sharma and recognizing the standards required to retain a spot. The coach noted that Sooryavanshi has been diligent in improving his fielding, fitness and batting, and that he watches how experienced teammates approach the game. While his natural attacking style remains intact, Kotak said he would only intervene if the situation demanded a change.<\/p>\n<p>With top\u2011order regular Ishan Kishan sidelined through injury, the next T20 International could present an opening for Sooryavanshi. Kotak indicated that the youngster\u2019s distinctive practice routine \u2013 a personal way of attacking the ball \u2013 would be respected, and any adjustments would be tactical rather than a reshaping of his innate style.<\/p>\n<h2>All\u2011rounder Naman Dhir emerges as a versatile option<\/h2>\n<p>Another name that surfaced in Kotak\u2019s post\u2011match comments was all\u2011rounder Naman Dhir. The coach highlighted Dhir\u2019s performance in the Bangalore match, describing him as a \u201cvery exciting talent\u201d who delivered a crucial role in the final overs.<\/p>\n<p>Kotak praised Dhir\u2019s ability to adapt to various team needs. In the T20 format, the coach explained, Dhir can be deployed as a bowler for four overs when the side contains many left\u2011handers, or for fewer overs when the balance of right\u2011 and left\u2011handed batsmen is even. His fielding prowess and capacity to finish innings with the bat further enhance his value.<\/p>\n<p>While acknowledging that Dhir is still at an early stage of his international career, Kotak expressed confidence in his promise. He cited the player\u2019s solid technique, early base creation, power against short deliveries and overall excitement as indicators of a bright future.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Kotak\u2019s reflections painted a picture of a batting unit that is not only accumulating runs but also evolving in mindset. The coach\u2019s emphasis on mental fortitude, careful management of young talent, and the integration of versatile players like Dhir suggests a strategic approach aimed at sustaining success beyond the immediate series.<\/p>\n<p>As the India\u2011New Zealand T20 series progresses, the balance between harnessing raw talent and shielding emerging players from undue pressure will likely remain a focal point for the coaching staff. The next fixtures will test how these philosophies translate into on\u2011field results, especially with opportunities potentially opening for Sooryavanshi and the continued development of Dhir as a multi\u2011dimensional contributor.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauds Sanju Samson\u2019s fearless innings in the Christchurch win and cautions that excessive hype could hinder young opener Vaibhav\u202fSooryavanshi\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2890,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[299],"tags":[1739,3092,3035,1743,2863,2014],"class_list":["post-2889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-india-cricket","tag-naman-dhir","tag-new-zealand","tag-sanju-samson","tag-t20-international","tag-vaibhav-sooryavanshi","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsraise.com\/in\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}