Kotak: Pant Thinks Deeply About Batting, But Prefers Silence While at the Crease

Rishabh Pant might come across as a spontaneous and instinctive batter, but India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed there’s a calculated cricketing brain behind the fireworks. Ahead of the third Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Lord’s, Kotak shared insights into the enigmatic keeper-batter’s mindset — particularly his preference for silence when in the middle.

Pant, known for his explosive style and unorthodox strokeplay, is often seen as a maverick in the Indian line-up. However, Kotak insisted that Pant’s apparent unpredictability stems from preparation and planning, not recklessness.

“Rishabh actually talks a lot about what he does, when he does it, and why he does it,” Kotak said. “But he doesn’t like talking too much during his innings. He feels that changes his mindset and leads to poor decision-making.”

Kotak recalled a revealing incident from the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, where Pant played a counter-attacking 97 in India’s fight to save the Test. After a brief conversation with Cheteshwar Pujara about the new ball, Pant tried to attack Nathan Lyon first ball of the 80th over and was dismissed. He later admitted he was unsettled by the suggestion to be cautious — a rare moment when outside advice affected his decision-making.

“That was one of those instances,” Kotak said. “He was upset not just at the dismissal but also because a seed of doubt had been planted. That’s why we feel it’s best not to give him too much advice mid-innings. Let him play his way.”

Despite his flair, Pant is known to reflect on his game seriously off the field. According to Kotak, he analyses both his own performances and those of his teammates, demonstrating a keen tactical awareness.

Kotak also used the opportunity to speak more broadly about India's evolving approach to red-ball batting. In an era where white-ball formats dominate, Kotak urged his players to resist the temptation of chasing quick boundaries, especially on seaming wickets.

“If a batter thinks, ‘There’s movement, so I must hit when I get a half-chance,’ that’s a dangerous mindset in Test cricket,” he said. “Our players have the skill to score at four runs an over without taking risks. They don’t need to go searching for boundaries.”

This disciplined mindset was on full display during the second Test at Edgbaston, where India crushed England thanks to Shubman Gill’s double-century and consistent middle-order contributions. Gill himself demonstrated restraint despite a dominant position, compiling 430 runs across two innings without lapsing into recklessness.

India’s tactical shift could spell trouble for England, who have frequently relied on dismissing aggressive batters caught in the deep. Kotak emphasized that this approach was not a reaction to the first-Test loss at Headingley, but part of a pre-series philosophy.

“We’ve batted well in both matches,” he said. “Our goal is not just to be aggressive but to be in control. Scoring 360 in 90 overs without taking unnecessary risks — that’s smart Test batting.”

With India heading into the Lord’s Test with momentum and clarity, and Pant continuing to baffle opposition attacks with his mix of flair and calculation, England will need more than just discipline to keep this confident Indian side in check.

Key Takeaways:

Rishabh Pant prefers silence during his innings to maintain mental clarity.
Despite his flamboyant style, Pant is a deep thinker of the game off the field.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak urges Indian players to avoid chasing boundaries on tricky pitches.
India’s red-ball approach focuses on controlled aggression, evident in their performance at Edgbaston.