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Sitanshu Kotak Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth19 October 1972

Age52 Years

BirthplaceRajkot, Gujarat, India

ProfessionCricketer (Batting allrounder); Coach

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpousePayal Kotak

FamilySon - Hetvik Kotak; Daughter - Bruhi Kotak; Father - Hargovindbhai Kotak; Sisters - Chetna Gohil, Snehal Palan

Sitanshu Kotak Biography

Sitanshu Kotak is a former Indian domestic cricketer from Rajkot who carved a long playing career as a left-handed batting allrounder for Saurashtra and a

Early life and background

Sitanshu Kotak was born on 19 October 1972 in Rajkot, Gujarat. Raised in a family where his father, Hargovindbhai Kotak, was a businessman, Sitanshu was drawn to cricket from a young age. He began formal coaching under Saurashtra Ranji player Mahendra Rajdev at around thirteen and progressed through the region’s age-group sides in the early 1990s.

Career

Kotak established himself as a mainstay of Saurashtra cricket over two decades. A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he represented Saurashtra from 1992 until his retirement from Indian domestic cricket in 2013. He also turned out for a range of other teams across formats and competitions, including India A, West Zone, Rest of India, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Kenilworth Wardens in England, Warwickshire Cricket Board, and West Zone Universities among others.

Over 130 first-class matches Kotak amassed 8,061 runs in 211 innings at an average of 41.76, with a highest score of 168 not out. His first-class record includes 15 centuries and 55 fifties, and he remained not out 18 times. As a bowler in first-class cricket he claimed 69 wickets in 211 innings, with best figures of 6 for 81 and one five-wicket haul; he delivered 4,937 balls and recorded an average of 39.81.

In List A cricket across 89 matches Kotak scored 3,083 runs in 86 innings at an average of 42.23, including three centuries and 26 fifties, with a top score of 122 not out. He took 53 wickets in List A matches, with best figures of 7 for 43 and one five-wicket haul. Kotak was also a reliable fielder, taking 107 catches in first-class play and 40 in List A fixtures.

Several innings stand out from Kotak’s playing days. In the 1999–2000 Irani Trophy he scored a century against a Karnataka attack that included Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. During the 2007–08 Ranji Trophy he compiled a marathon unbeaten 168, occupying the crease for 796 minutes across three days. In the 2008–09 Ranji Trophy semifinal he made 89 in a long innings spanning over five hours.

Kotak balanced cricket with employment at BPCL, captaining their side in corporate competitions. He also spent many seasons playing club cricket in England for Kenilworth Wardens from 1996 to 2015.

Coaching and later career

A year after retiring in 2013, Kotak transitioned into coaching. He completed Level 1 and 2 coaching courses from the BCCI and the ECB, and in October 2014 he was appointed coach of the Saurashtra team. He continued to build a coaching résumé that included a role as assistant coach with the IPL franchise Gujarat Lions in 2016 and head coach of India A from August 2019.

Kotak has also served as the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he worked with players including Rishabh Pant. He was offered coaching opportunities abroad and in domestic franchises but at times chose to remain with Saurashtra. In August 2023 he was appointed India’s head coach for a T20I series against Ireland while Rahul Dravid was rested, and he again led the India team as head coach for the ODI series against South Africa in December 2023.

Public profile

Kotak’s playing career is notable for its longevity and for the volume of runs and overs he contributed for Saurashtra and other teams. He never played an international match for India despite a prolific domestic record that included more than 8,000 first-class runs. He has been associated with the Saurashtra Cricket Association and BCCI figures over many years, and his coaching work has kept him involved at both domestic and national levels.

Personal life

Kotak married Payal Kotak on 18 February 1997. The couple have two children: an elder son, Hetvik Kotak, who has played Ranji cricket for Saurashtra, and a daughter, Bruhi Kotak. He has two sisters, Chetna Gohil and Snehal Palan. Kotak’s listed hobbies include listening to Hindi songs. Physical attributes recorded in public profiles list his height at approximately 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) and weight around 70 kg; his hair is described as salt and pepper and eyes as black.

Latest updates

Since moving into coaching, Kotak has held positions with Saurashtra, India A, the NCA, and IPL teams. He served as India’s head coach in short stints in 2023 when the regular head coach was rested. He continues to be active in Indian domestic cricket as a coach and mentor.
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Recent Work

Head coach — India (T20I series vs Ireland, August 2023)

Served as India’s head coach while Rahul Dravid was rested.

2023
Head coach — India (ODI series vs South Africa)

Led India as head coach during the ODI series in December 2023.

2023
Head Coach — India A

Appointed head coach of India A in August 2019.

2019
Coach — Saurashtra

Appointed coach of the Saurashtra domestic team in October 2014 after completing coaching courses.

2014
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Career Highlights

  1. Scored 8,061 runs in 130 first-class matches with an average of 41.76, including 15 centuries.
  2. Recorded a highest first-class score of 168 not out and a marathon 796-minute innings in 2007–08 Ranji Trophy.
  3. Took 69 first-class wickets with best figures of 6 for 81.
  4. Served as head coach of India A and as India’s head coach for series in 2023.
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sitanshu Kotak born?

19 October 1972

What is Sitanshu Kotak known for?

Cricketer (Batting allrounder); Coach

What is Sitanshu Kotak’s marital status?

Married

Who is Sitanshu Kotak married to?

Payal Kotak