Sitanshu Kotak always put a heavy price on his wicket. Saurashtra’s doughty southpaw was a domestic giant. Never aesthetic in his approach, Kotak always made effective runs. Now in his role as the Indian team’s batting coach, he draws satisfaction from the way his wards perform.

He couldn’t stop smiling late on Sunday (March 1, 2026) night after Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 took India past the West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup clash at the Eden Gardens. “Sanju is such a class player. He batted really well. Truly a match-winning innings. Everybody knew that Sanju will perform,” Kotak told the media.

The batting coach admitted that some technical adjustments were made while Samson evolved: “He felt he was getting ready a little early. Sanju does two to three different things. We have been talking from the England series, about the short balls he got out to. All that we discussed.”

Through his knock, Samson looked assured, and Kotak explained: “The special feature about this innings was that it was completely under control. That’s what you expect from someone like Sanju who is so experienced. He has scored so many runs in internationals, in the IPL. In a way, he has been a leader. So, that’s what you expect from someone like him.”

Kotak also praised Tilak Varma: “Tilak is very flexible. He never talks about the batting order. If you want him to open, he is ready. Number three, he really enjoys. Now, with the situation of having three left-handers in a row, he knew that the batting order was changing for that reason. Obviously, Surya, we won’t change, so Tilak goes in at five. He understands that. Though he is aggressive, he plays according to the merit of the ball. He doesn’t blindly slog the ball.”

Skipper Sikandar Raza said Zimbabwe’s wonder run in the T20 World Cup group stages has earned his side respect from everyone, and he hoped to recreate the universally loved underdog’s victory story in the Super Eights against tough opponents.

The Africans showed a glimpse of their ability to spring surprises while sweeping aside Australia and Sri Lanka in Group B matches in Colombo.

“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present…I don’t think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone’s hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in,” Raza said in the post-match presentation after his team’s win over SL.

Now, Raza has set his eyes on the Super Eights, where they will come across reigning champions India, two-time champions West Indies and 2024 finalists South Africa. But he is not overawed.

“We take one game at a time. We arrive on the 21st, and then train on the 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” Raza added.

Cutting back to the match against the Lankans, Raza said the home side was 10 runs short of a defendable total.

“When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter? I bowled, and said finger-spinners are not finding a lot of turn, so we can put them under pressure.

“I came into the changing room and said they were 10 runs short (at the break). We have trained for every situation. We have the right personnel to send in at the right time. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room,” he said.

But for the moment, Raza wanted to celebrate his team’s Super Eights entry.

“We are unbeaten so far, but it is only the next game that comes into my head. Nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at least tonight,” he said.

The beleaguered Australian team that finds itself in the midst of injury setbacks and poor form could finally have something going its way in the T20 World Cup.

In what is welcome news, captain Mitchell Marsh could feature in its crucial Group-B clash against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday (February 16, 2026).

The opening batter, who was supposed to participate in a training session on Sunday, had suffered internal bleeding following a blow to the groin ahead of the match against Ireland. “I think Mitch is confident. Obviously, he has been in a bit of pain over the last week or so. A lot of those questions will be answered through training,” all-rounder Marcus Stoinis told the media on the eve of the encounter.

Stoinis confirmed that he will be fit to play against the co-host after copping a hit to his hands while in his follow-through during the game against Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka fielding coach R. Sridhar threw his weight behind young leggie Dushan Hemantha, who had an expensive outing against Oman after being drafted in as an injury replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga.

“It is not easy to fill the shoes of Hasaranga. He commands respect from some of the best batters in the world. I think he (Hemantha) has responded well. The advantage for him is that not many have seen him or played him on the international circuit. He may bamboozle a few of the Aussie batters with his variations,” Sridhar said.

Last minute T20 World Cup entrants Scotland have included Afghan-born uncapped pacer Zainullah Ihsan in their 15-member squad for the ICC event beginning in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

Scotland have replaced Bangladesh in the tournament with the latter refusing to play in India citing security concerns.

Richie Berrington will captain a strong squad that includes eleven players who were part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad in West Indies and USA. The team selection on Monday (January 26) was the first made by new head coach Owen Dawkins, following his appointment last month.

Ihsan is the sole first-time call-up, with the fast bowler having recently qualified to play for Scotland. Tom Bruce, Finlay McCreath and Oliver Davidson will all travel to their first World Cup, following their involvement in T20 and ODI squads during the last twelve months.

“The squad selection is subject to all player and staff visa applications being approved. Given the limited notice for Scotland’s participation at the tournament and timescale for selecting players, two travelling reserves have been selected while three others will be non-travelling reserves,” said Cricket Scotland in a statement.

Safyaan Sharif is a squad member of Pakistan lineage and his application will attract more scrutiny.

Head coach Dawkins said the unexpected entry into the World Cup provides a great opportunity for the players.

“It’s been a whirlwind forty-eight hours for everyone at Cricket Scotland, and I know Steve, Trudy Lindblade and everyone in the organisation have been working solidly to get everything sorted for the players and support staff since we learnt we would be participating at the World Cup.

“We’re all very excited and feeling privileged to have this opportunity. The players have been working hard in a fitness phase in recent weeks with Scott Hislen preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two series in Namibia at the end of March, and I have no doubt that this will help us in the next few weeks,” said Dawkins.

On the selection of Ihsa, head of performance Steve Snell added: “There’s obviously a great opportunity for Zainullah Ihsan, and whenever he’s played at youth level or for the “A” squad he’s shown an exciting range of skills and bowled at genuine pace. We’re delighted for him and excited to see how he performs on his first international tour.” Scotland have replaced Bangladesh in Group C including first-timers Italy, West Indies, England and Nepal.

Squad:

Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stepped in to facilitate visa formalities for all 42 players and officials of Pakistan origin bound for the T20 World Cup in India.

In the England squad, cricketers of Pakistan lineage include spinners Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed and pacer Saqiib Mahmood.

USA will be represented by Ali Khan and Shayan Jahangir while the Netherlands have Zulfiqar Saqib to name a few.

PTI has learned that visas have already been cleared for England players Rashid, Rehan and Saqib.

Members of the Netherlands squad have also received their visas. Canada staff member Shah Saleem Zafar has been granted clearance as well.

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Visa arrangements are currently underway for players and officials of Pakistan nationality or origin who are part of teams from United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Italy, Bangladesh and Canada.

For these teams, visa appointments have already been scheduled for early next week, indicating that the process is moving into its final phase. The deadline for visa issuance for participants is January 31.

These clearances are seen as an important early step, given the diverse representation of players of Pakistani descent across associate and full-member nations.

The ICC exercise covers cricketers, officials and standby personnel across multiple teams, underlining the governing body’s attempt to pre-empt any last-minute complications ahead of the global event.

The ICC, which is overseeing the coordination process, has remained in constant communication with Indian High Commissions in multiple cities across continents.

The aim has been to ensure that visa applications for the remaining players and officials are handled efficiently and without procedural delays.

The council has received assurances that the pending cases will be processed smoothly within the stipulated timelines.

With visa facilitation progressing as planned, the ICC believes that all participating teams will be fully prepared from a logistical standpoint before the tournament gets underway on February 7.

India visa applicants from Pakistan origin attract more scrutiny and processing times are longer than usual.