'Plays aggressive doesn't mean he can't defend': India batting coach backs Rishabh Pant, hails Shubman Gill's growth since BGT

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak (Pic credit: Sahil Malhotra/TimesofIndia.com)
TimesofIndia.com in Leeds:
India may have ended Day Two of the first Test at Headingley with the upper hand, but England's spirited resistance, led by Ollie Pope's unbeaten hundred, ensured that the contest remained finely poised.
Scorecard:
India vs England 1st Test Day 2
At stumps, England were 209 for 3 in reply to India's 471, still trailing by 262 runs. While
Jasprit Bumrah
's class shone through with figures of 3 for 48 - including the scalps of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root - Pope's gritty, chance-filled knock of 100* off 131 balls held the Indian bowlers at bay. At the close, he found support in Harry Brook, who was unbeaten on nought at the close.
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The day, however, belonged equally to the young Indian batting pair of
Shubman Gill
and
Rishabh Pant
, whose efforts earlier set up the strong first innings total. Gill, in his first Test as captain, compiled a career-best 147, while Pant dazzled with a commanding 134. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, speaking after the day's play, was generous in his praise for both.
Poll
Who do you think played the most crucial innings for India in their first Test against England?
Shubman Gill
Rishabh Pant
Jasprit Bumrah
Other
'After the Australia tour, Shubman Gill worked on certain things. The moment I saw him in the nets, I noticed.
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A lot of credit to him for analysing and working on things,' Kotak said. He also addressed the late-order collapse, which saw India lose seven wickets for just 41 runs, admitting, 'It was a collapse. Batters also got out, we expected better but it can't happen.'
Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Shubman Gill after maiden Test ton in England: 'I love it'
Kotak was also quizzed about Pant's often-debated style of play, particularly given the keeper-batter's mix of caution and aggression in Leeds. 'Rishabh Pant gets criticised by who? Everyone has their own opinion,' Kotak said.
'Rishabh Pant makes his own plans. He decides and he bats. This innings was different. Because he plays aggressive doesn't mean he can't play defensive.'
On the dropped catches, Kotak simply said, 'It normally doesn't happen…'
Pope, who made the most of his reprieves, found a fan in his teammate Ben Duckett. 'Goosebumps when Ollie Pope got to a hundred! We are very glad for him,' Duckett said after the day's play.
Reflecting on his own dismissal, Duckett was full of praise for Bumrah, who knocked him over with a searing delivery.
'Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler in the world. Extremely hard to face when he is coming down the hill with the lights on. We minimised the damage early on.'
Duckett added, 'I don't know what's inside Pope's head. But he is strong and scoring a hundred against that attack… the hundred meant a lot to him and the dressing room as well.'
With Pope's hundred keeping England in the contest and Bumrah continuing to trouble the batters, the Test is finely balanced heading into Day 3.
Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the
India vs England Test match here
.
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