Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed his willingness to take on the role of India’s batting coach. Currently in South Africa as part of the SA20 broadcasting team, Pietersen has made it clear that he is “available” for the position. This move follows reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering adding an additional support staff member, specifically a batting coach, to the team’s setup.
Speculation Around a New Batting Coach
The idea of bringing in a new batting coach gained traction after Cricbuzz reported on Wednesday night that BCCI is exploring the possibility of expanding head coach Gautam Gambhir’s support staff. While a few names are being considered, including former domestic cricket heavyweights, no final decision has been made yet. This has sparked further speculation about potential changes within India’s coaching staff.
Pietersen, who has been part of India’s cricketing discussions in recent times as an IPL commentator, declared his availability for the role. His impressive cricketing credentials make him a strong contender for the job, but his lack of prior coaching experience at the international level could be a factor the BCCI considers.
Pietersen’s Batting Credentials
The stylish former England batter boasts an impressive career record, both in Test and white-ball cricket. In 104 Test matches, Pietersen scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47.28, with 23 centuries, placing him third on England’s all-time list for most Test hundreds. His white-ball credentials are equally noteworthy—he scored 4,440 runs in 136 ODIs at an average of 40.73 and 1,176 runs in 37 T20Is with a strike rate of 140.
Despite his batting prowess, Pietersen has no experience coaching at the top level, which could be a consideration for the BCCI.
India’s Current Batting Coach Setup
Currently, the Indian team does not have a designated batting coach. Unlike previous head coaches such as Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid, who brought in specialist batting coaches, Gautam Gambhir has opted not to have an official batting coach in his team. Instead, Gambhir has chosen two assistant coaches—Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate—both of whom are accomplished former batters. Nayar, in particular, has earned a solid reputation as a batting coach in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Need for a Batting Coach
India’s recent Test losses against New Zealand (0-3 at home) and Australia (1-3) have led to significant criticism directed at the coaching staff, particularly concerning the repeated dismissals of key players like Virat Kohli in similar ways.
These concerns were addressed in a review meeting held in Mumbai on January 11. While the specifics of the discussions around the support staff remain unclear, there are indications that the possibility of bringing in a new expert might have been considered.
With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling, the need for more specialized coaching, particularly in batting, has become increasingly apparent. It remains uncertain whether the BCCI will move forward with such an appointment, but the idea of enhancing the coaching team, especially in this area, seems to have gained traction.
