India's interim batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar urged players vying for a place in the senior men's T20I side to resist the temptation of imitation and instead lean into their individual strengths, speaking ahead of the 3rd T20I in Harare on 26 July. His message was direct: authenticity, not mimicry, is what earns and keeps a berth in the national setup.

The Core Message to Competing Players

'Each player, if he wants to stake a claim to playing for India and staying there, needs to be himself. He can't be trying to be like somebody else,' Kanitkar said in a pre-match conversation with broadcasters. 'He has to find his own strengths, find where he needs to improve, and work on those things. Be happy being in your own skin, rather than trying to prove something to somebody — just be your best. So that's what my whole role is.'

The message carries particular weight in a squad where several young batters are jostling for limited spots, each looking to make a lasting impression on the selectors.

From U-19 to Senior Cricket: A Shift in Coaching Focus

Kanitkar, who also serves as India U-19 men's head coach, reflected on the philosophical shift that comes with moving from junior to senior coaching. 'I've been with the under-19s for quite some time now and it's been very rewarding — not just on the field, but off the field as well, because you can make a positive impact on a lot of upcoming players,' he said.

'When I transitioned from under-19 to this, the role changes because the players are very skilled already. They have a lot of experience. So you're talking about the smaller things, the finer things, rather than all the very, very basics.' Kanitkar has also previously served as a batting coach with the Indian women's cricket team, giving him a broad cross-section of coaching experience at the national level.

Technique vs Adaptability at the Senior Level

On the technical side, Kanitkar noted that senior internationals are expected to move beyond foundational coaching and instead demonstrate the ability to read and adjust to varied conditions. 'They play a lot of cricket around the world in different conditions now. Technique is something that we look at when they are coming up the ranks — that's the under-19 cricket and thereon,' he explained.

'By this time, we want players to be able to adapt to conditions, adjust their techniques as much as required. And that speaks well because the work that's gone before matters a lot in terms of technique.' The remark underlines a growing emphasis in Indian cricket on producing batters who are technically grounded yet tactically flexible.

Kanitkar's Praise for Sharma and Sooryavanshi

Kanitkar singled out the young opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for praise, while keeping his advice consistent with his broader philosophy. 'Very good opening partnership. They have all the shots they need, they have the mindset, they have the skill. They just need to be themselves, express themselves,' he said.

The duo's fearless approach at the top of the order has been one of the more encouraging developments of the tour, and Kanitkar's endorsement signals confidence from the support staff. How they perform in Harare could go a long way in cementing their standing ahead of upcoming assignments.