India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addresses the media ahead of the third T20 match between India and England, in Rajkot, on January 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Mohammed Shami’s non-inclusion in India’s Playing XI for the first two T20Is against England had created doubts about his fitness.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak put an end to the speculation and gave a positive reply on the pacer’s health. Kotak, however, was not keen on revealing the reason behind the delay in the 34-year-old’s return to international cricket.

“Shami is fit, yes. I am not the one who can answer anything about why he is playing or not playing. There is a definite plan and (we are) looking ahead at the upcoming matches and ODIs. That is something coach Gautam (Gambhir) and Suryakumar (Yadav) will take a call on, but fitness is definitely not a problem,” Kotak revealed on the eve of the third T20I at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

When asked about whether India has any specific plans for the batter-friendly pitch here, Kotak added: “Rajkot is known to be a good batting track. So, it should be a high-scoring game. I wouldn’t say (we have) any areas we will look at because England will also come up with certain plans. The batters will react to what they are bowling… every team does it and we will also do it”.