{"id":25626,"date":"2025-12-01T06:46:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T06:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/01\/india-coach-makes-huge-statement-on-virat-kohlis-future-after-record-hundred-really-dont-know-why-actually-we-need-to-cricket-news\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T06:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T06:46:16","slug":"india-coach-makes-huge-statement-on-virat-kohlis-future-after-record-hundred-really-dont-know-why-actually-we-need-to-cricket-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/01\/india-coach-makes-huge-statement-on-virat-kohlis-future-after-record-hundred-really-dont-know-why-actually-we-need-to-cricket-news\/","title":{"rendered":"India Coach Makes Huge Statement On Virat Kohli’s Future After Record Hundred: ‘Really Don’t Know Why Actually We Need To…’ | Cricket News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Sitanshu Kotak dismisses speculation about Virat Kohli\u2019s ODI future, praising his form and fitness after 52nd ODI century and stressing focus on present over 2027 World Cup debates<\/h2>\n
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Virat Kohli smashed a 120-ball 135 (PTI)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

India\u2019s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has firmly rejected the rising speculations about Virat Kohli\u2019s future in ODIs, asserting that such discussions questioning the longevity of one of the game\u2019s greatest modern players are entirely unnecessary. As debates about India\u2019s long-term plans intensified before the three-match series in South Africa, with a particular focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kotak voiced his frustration over what he views as baseless and irrelevant conversations in light of Kohli\u2019s current form, fitness, and impact.<\/p>\n

Recently, a narrative had emerged about whether Kohli and Rohit Sharma, now primarily single-format players, fit into head coach Gautam Gambhir\u2019s long-term strategy. Kotak, however, clarified after India\u2019s narrow 17-run win in the first ODI that these debates are not only premature but fundamentally flawed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t know why actually we need to look at all this,” Kotak said, clearly perplexed by the ongoing questions. \u201cHe\u2019s batting so well. Why do we need to talk about his future? The way he\u2019s performing, the way his fitness is \u2014 there are no questions about anything.”<\/p>\n

Kotak highlighted that the team\u2019s focus remains on role clarity, current performance, and the valuable experience senior players bring to the dressing room. He stressed that evaluating the squad based on distant projections is irrelevant when someone like Kohli continues to perform at the highest level.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just brilliant, man. As long as he keeps batting like this, there is no point talking about anything else.”<\/p>\n

Not Thinking About Next World Cup<\/h2>\n

The batting coach also emphasised that neither the players nor the team management are preoccupied with thoughts of the 2027 World Cup at this stage. The immediate priority is to focus on the present tasks and build momentum through consistent performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel these things shouldn\u2019t happen. They (Ro-Ko) are brilliant, they are performing, and they are contributing to the team. For us, once the team comes and practice starts, we just enjoy. I don\u2019t even think we are talking anything about the 2027 World Cup.”<\/p>\n

Kohli\u2019s superb century on Sunday \u2014 his 52nd in ODIs \u2014 only strengthened Kotak\u2019s position. It not only showcased the veteran\u2019s enduring class but also his ability to take on responsibility in the format he prioritises.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an outstanding knock. He batted really well, took responsibility and showed again why he is such an exceptional player,” Kotak said. When asked about Kohli\u2019s minor back discomfort during the innings, he reassured: \u201cAs much as I know, he\u2019s fine.”<\/p>\n

(With inputs from Agencies)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ritayan Basu<\/a><\/p>\n

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Location :<\/span><\/p>\n

Ranchi, India, India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n
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December 01, 2025, 12:00 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

News<\/a> cricket<\/a> India Coach Makes Huge Statement On Virat Kohli’s Future After Record Hundred: ‘Really Don’t Know Why Actually We Need To…’<\/span><\/div>\n
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Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 12:02 IST Sitanshu Kotak dismisses speculation about Virat Kohli\u2019s ODI future, praising his form and fitness after 52nd ODI century and stressing focus on present over 2027 World Cup debates Virat Kohli smashed a 120-ball 135 (PTI) India\u2019s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has firmly rejected the rising speculations about Virat Kohli\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cricket"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25626\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}