“In world cricket, sometimes we talk about how the runs are increasing, the pitches (and all that). But the way batters’ belief is growing, it is unbelievable.”

Sitanshu Kotak, the Indian batting coach, moved beyond hailing the skill and talent that Sanju Samson had displayed in the first T20I, as he led the charge in India’s four-wicket win in the high-scoring encounter against New Zealand in Christchurch. He praised the more intangible aspect of Samson’s batting.

The Indian opener smashed a 33-ball 67, which included a 93-run opening stand in the Powerplay, which made India’s race towards the target of 226 way easier than it should have been.

"Sanju is an outstanding, power-packed player,” Kotak said. The way he and Abhishek [Sharma] approached [the chase] yesterday. It may seem natural given the high scores that are posted… But, if you ever put yourself in the place of a batter, and think that you have to hit 3-4 sixes in the first two overs, you will also be afraid of getting out. If you get out early in two consecutive games, then you will play in fear in the third match; fear that if you don't get a run, then you will be dropped.

“Overcoming all that, and the way they are showing the intent, that excites me. Really, it is amazing, that on top of power, talent, and intent, and everything, controlling their mind also, to get them into that fearless attitude. That is something.”

One of the key points of discussion heading into the series was around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s lack of gametime in the national team, especially when the domestic season is going on. The teenager was drafted into the national team soon after his exploits in the IPL earlier this year, but has largely served as a backup option for the openers, with skipper Shreyas Iyer even stressing on how it could serve as a learning curve for Sooryavanshi.

Kotak, on Thursday, didn’t want to add to the conversation around his lack of gametime. In fact, the coach was critical that hype could prove counter-productive to the youngster's rise, seeding unrealistic expectations. But he also admitted that Sooryavanshi has handled his time on the sidelines well.

“He is young. But to be very honest, not just me, the way the entire team management handles him… I look at him from a neutral perspective, but it is amazing because everyone likes him. The public likes him, social media likes him, the team also likes him. He has that talent. But just because of that, or that everyone likes him, you can't make changes in the playing 11.

“He is very talented, and I actually feel that he has a bright, bright future ahead. Once he plays, he gets his opportunities and settles down, he will learn a lot of things. At the start, I felt there was a lot of hype that he should play. I genuinely felt that such hype is not good for a player as well, for a young 15-16 years old boy, that everyone is saying that he should play, and he is not getting a place. Then he is thinking…”

“He is too young. Then the entire atmosphere revolves around ‘why is he playing?’ and ‘why is he not playing?’ People related to cricket should think about it - whether they are actually helping or just to create something... That's what I felt that time.

“Now he is much more mature. He understood that… if Sanju Bhai is batting the way he is, how will he stay out? If Abhishek Bhai is batting the way he is, only 11 can play. Even in middle order. So everyone understands. But he still wants to play. And if I was to be in his place, even I would have wanted to play. So there is nothing wrong with that. He is a very simple boy. I don't think he has ever complained.

"From what I see of him, I am really happy. And he is working on his fielding, fitness, batting. He also observes how the game is going, how the senior people are approaching it. Because hitting ability is one thing, and the things you learn while batting at this level, is a different thing. He will also have to learn that. I am sure he will; he is clever, talented."

The wait to find a place in the XI could come as early as the next T20I. With Ishan Kishan injured, and being the only other top-order batter in the squad, his chances of getting gametime is pretty high. Kotak emphasised that while Sooryavanshi’s training methods could be different, he wouldn’t want to tinker too much with his natural style.

“Vaibhav has a certain way of practising,” Kotak highlighted. “I wouldn't say that he was struggling, but there are certain things he likes, there is a certain way he wants to attack. Obviously, the practice wicket, its bounce, and the way it is in the match, is very different. But, my conversation with him was about the way the ball moves from certain areas, what shots he can play for that.

“The way he approaches the game, I wouldn't change that, unless such a situation comes up where it becomes a must. Vaibhav's ability is so much that he doesn't struggle as often. He just talks, decides and plays his shots. There are players who play shots on merit. And there are those who try to create shots, wherever the ball is. For me, Vaibhav is that kind of a player who dominates and plays shots as per his wish.”

While the wait for Sooryavanshi to get a regular run in the starting XI has stretched, Naman Dhir has seamlessly taken to international cricket with his all-round performances.

“Naman Dhir, in the last six to eight balls, in the Bangalore match what he did, we know that he is capable of doing that. He is a very exciting talent. His role in the last match was very, very important. He is a power-packed player, He knows what is expected from him. And he does exactly that, which is a great sign.

Moreover, Kotak stressed on how Dhir fills a lot of void in the team, playing multiple roles. “In T20s, if a team has a lot of left-handers, he can bowl four overs.

"Or if there is an equal balance of right and left handers, he can bowl two overs or one. And he is someone who can also field really well and bat, who can make an impact in batting in the finisher’s role.

“At the moment, obviously, it is too early, but I personally feel he is very promising. The batting technique, the base he creates early, the power he has, the way he plays the short ball, he is a very, very exciting talent.”