New Delhi: Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian is reportedly said to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in team India’s squad for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. According to a report by Sportstar, the 26-year-old will leave for Australia to join the Rohit Sharma-led squad for training just a couple of days before the Boxing-Day Test starts at the MCG.
Kotian has been a regular feature in Mumbai’s domestic cricket team across all formats, and was part of their title winning campaigns in Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy all coming this year along with the Duleep Trophy (for India A). Dubbed as one of the best spin-bowling all-rounders in Indian cricket circuit, Kotian has proved his credentials over the year with performances with bat improving in the recent times.
Kotian’s revelation as a lower-order batter has come handy to his off-spin exploits, making his exceptional talent difficult to be unnoticed. He has played 33 first-class matches for Mumbai, West Zone, and India A teams, returning with 1525 runs in 47 innings at an average of 41.21. He has accounted for 101 scalps in 33 matches at an average of 25.70, including three five-wicket hauls.
Kotian’s grind in Mumbai circuit
In his first season with Mumbai, Kotian was dropped from the team just after two games and then went to play for Mumbai U-23 to regain his mojo. He has featured for Mumbai in five straight seasons. He has improved with his wickets’ tally after each season passing. He started with 18 scalps in the 2021-22 season and improved to 29 dismissals in the triumphant 2023-24 season this year.
He showed his peak batting with 64 and 114 in the Irani Cup 2024 against Rest of India as Mumbai lifted the prestigious trophy after a span of 27 years. The key factor in his bowling success is the quality of his pace he brings to the turn which also helps him produce the extra bounce, as the player told ESPNcricinfo in one of his interactions.
Tanush was a fast bowler when he used to play school-level cricket along with opening the batter. After his switch from St. Joseph School to VN Sule School, when he was introduced to the art of off-spin and got confidence after performing well in school’s prestigious tournaments – Harris Shield and Giles Shield.
He made his India U-19 debut in 2017 when the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and Riyan Parag came into the spotlight. Seven years after that, Kotian was included in India A tour of Australia just before the build up of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has already played a match at the MCG in India A’s second unofficial Test against Australia A.
Tanush Kotian is set to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 26-year-old’s impressive domestic record, featuring success in the Ranji Trophy and other major tournaments, has earned him a spot. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
