Kohli’s future not even a question, says Kotak as India down South Africa in Ranchi ODI
Ranchi (PTI): India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak feels speculations surrounding Virat Kohli's impending ODI future "should not exist" given fitness, form and impact that the stalwart continues to make in 50-over cricket.
In the build-up to the three-match series, a few 'ifs and buts' emerged in the context of the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa since both Kohli and Rohit Sharma play single format, raising questions whether the two mega stars are in head coach Gautam Gambhir's scheme of things.
Leading with a note of exasperation, Kotak said he simply could not understand why Kohli's place or longevity was being debated at all.
"I really don’t know why actually we need to look at all this,” Kotak said after India’s close 17-run win in the first ODI against South Africa here on Sunday.
"He’s batting so well. Why do we need to talk about his future? The way he’s performing, the way his fitness is — there are no questions about anything.”
Kotak said clarity around roles, real-time learning and the experience shared by senior players matter far more at this stage than long-range projections. And in that context, he insisted, Kohli remains indispensable.
"He’s just brilliant, man. As long as he keeps batting like this, there is no point talking about anything else.”
The batting coach stressed that neither the players nor the team management are thinking as far ahead as the 2027 World Cup, let alone framing discussions around senior players in those terms.
"I feel these things shouldn’t 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’t even think we are talking anything about the 2027 World Cup.”
Kotak said Kohli’s century on Sunday — the 52nd of his ODI career — was not just a reminder of his pedigree but also an example of how seamlessly he continues to shoulder responsibility in a format he now prioritises.
"It was an outstanding knock. He batted really well, took responsibility and showed again why he is such an exceptional player,” Kotak said.
Asked about Kohli’s minor back discomfort during the innings, he added: "As much as I know, he’s fine."
Kotak also highlighted the significance of having both Rohit Sharma and Kohli back in the XI following the Test series defeat, saying their presence naturally lifts the group.
"They are such experienced players. The way they bat, the partnerships they build — like today (Sunday) — it makes a huge difference. They share their experience with the younger players, and that itself is a big advantage.”
Reflecting on the match, Kotak said scoring runs became considerably easier for South Africa due to the heavy dew that set in during the second innings.
"With so much dew, the bowler can't keep the ball in his hand. It skids and comes straight to the bat. If South Africa had batted second on the same surface, then 350 would definitely have been enough,” he argued, defending Indian bowlers who struggled to defend 349 and just managed to cross the line.
He reserved special praise for left-arm pacer Harshit Rana, whose early strikes in difficult conditions prevented South Africa from running away with the game.
"A lot of credit to Harshit for taking the early wickets. He was moving the ball well, hitting the right areas. With a Kookaburra ball, you get swing only for the first 2 to 5 overs, and he made the most of it. Otherwise, chasing would have been very easy for them with so much dew."
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Screenwriter Salim Khan on ventilator support and stable, say doctors
Mumbai (PTI): Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan suffered a brain haemorrhage which has been tackled, is on ventilator support as a safeguard and stable, doctors treating him said on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here.
The 90-year-old, one half of the celebrated Salim-Javed duo which scripted films such as "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don" with Javed Akhtar, is in the ICU and recovery might take some time given his age.
"His blood pressure was high for which we treated him and we had to put him on a ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. Now the ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his situation doesn't get worse. So it is not that he is critical," Dr Jalil Parkar told reporters.
"We did the investigations that were required and today we have done a small procedure on him, I will not go into the details. The procedure done is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography). The procedure has been accomplished, he is fine and stable and shifted back to ICU. By tomorrow, we hope to get him off the ventilator. All in all, he is doing quite well," he added.
Asked whether he suffered a brain haemorrhage, the doctor said, "Unko thoda haemorrhage hua tha, which we’ve tackled. No surgery is required.
As concern over Khan's health mounted, his children, including superstar Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan, daughter Alvira, and sons-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma, have been seen outside the hospital along with other well-wishers. His long-time partner Akhtar was also seen coming out of the hospital.
Khan, a household name in the 70s and 80s, turned 90 on November 24 last year. It was the day Dharmendra, the star of many of his films, including "Sholay", "Seeta aur Geeta" and "Yaadon Ki Baraat", passed away.
Hailing from an affluent family in Indore, Khan arrived in Mumbai in his 20s with dreams of stardom. He was good looking and confident he would make a mark in the industry as an actor. But that did not happen. And then, after struggling for close to a decade and getting confined to small roles in films, he changed lanes.
He worked as an assistant to Abrar Alvi and soon met Akhtar to form one of Hindi cinema's most formidable writing partnerships. They worked together on two dozen movies with most of them achieving blockbuster status.
Other than "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don", Khan and Akhtar also penned "Trishul", "Zanjeer", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Haathi Mere Saathi", "Yaadon Ki Baarat" and "Mr India".
