Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak applauded India test captain Shubman Gill after his stunning hundred on captaincy debut against England on Saturday at Headingley, Leeds. He said Gill had made a few changes in his batting, credited him with analysing what he required to do, and he also felt he did well with the bat.

Sitanshu Kotak, while speaking in the post-match press conference, said, “I think, after the Australia series, he [Shubman Gill] has thought of certain things, which he has implemented, after Australia, Champions Trophy, and then we had IPL. He worked on certain things, and as soon as I saw him in the nets, I spoke to him about the changes you made, and he said yes. So a lot of credit goes to him for analysing what he needs to do, and I think he did really well.”

ALSO READ: “I did get a couple of hints” – AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

However, Team India were bundled out for 471 in 113 overs in the first innings, with captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all smashing centuries. Gill scored his century in 140 balls, making him the fifth Indian batter to have scored a ton in his first Test as captain. He was dismissed on 147 while trying to hit a six off Shoaib Bashir. However, Kotak also praised Pant for his sensational hundred.

“Rishabh Pant, I think, is someone who makes his own plans, makes his decision when he bats, so this inning was a little different than you would see him normally, but that is his plan, the way he wanted to approach it, and when he wanted to attack, he did. So, because he plays aggressively, it does not mean that he can’t play defensively,” he further added.

“Those dropped catches and the no-ball were definitely disappointing. Usually, we’re sharper in the field. But as a support staff and team, we take it as one of those unfortunate days – not the norm. Overall, we bowled well barring a few loose patches. There was something in the wicket, and we tried to make the most of it,” Sitanshu Kotak concluded.