The spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian will join the Indian squad for the remaining two games of Border Gavaksar Trophy (BGT). He will replace Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket on Wednesday (December 18) following the third BGT test in Gabba.
Kotian brings a good amount of red-ball experience to the national team. He made his first-class debut for Mumbai in December 2018. Since then, the off-spinner has scalped 101 wickets in 33 appearances, with best match figures of 9/122, including three five-wicket hauls.
Kotian has been impressive with the bat as well, scoring 1,525 runs at a prolific average of 41.21, with two centuries and 13 fifties.
The 26-year-old rose to prominence in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24, where he won the Player of the Tournament award, for picking up 29 wickets and scoring 502 runs in 10 games. He scored his career-best 120* and stitched a 232-stand with Tushar Deshpande (123) for the 10th wicket in the quarterfinal game against Baroda to help the side win the game on the basis of first-innings lead.
It was the second-highest 10th wicket partnership in the Ranji Trophy history as well. Mumbai eventually went on to lift the title as well.
In the 2024-25 Irani Cup against the Rest of India, Tanush Kotian returned with knocks of 64 and 114* and three wickets as Mumbai lifted the title. The performances helped him to get selected for India A’s two-match unofficial test series against Australia A. Playing a solitary game, Kotian scored 44 runs and took a single wicket.
Tanush Kotian was impressive in his two-game stint Ranji Trophy 2024-25, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 16.66.
Kotian is coming to Melbourne with a match-winning performance. He contributed 39* and took two wickets to help Mumbai win by three wickets against Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024.-25.
What Rohit Sharma said about Tanush Kotian?
A day after the official announcement, Indian captain Rohit Sharma also put forward his opinion on Tanush Kotian’s inclusion in the squad. According to him, Kotian was the best option for them to replace Ashwin, due to his proven red-ball performances and the Mumbai all-rounder already had a visa approved after playing against Australia A.
“Kuldeep of course is not 100% fit. He went through a hernia surgery. And the other options, like Axar – Axar had a baby, so he’s not going to travel.
“Tanush was the right option for us at this point. He’s certainly shown in the domestic level what he’s capable of. He’s probably one of the reasons why Mumbai has gone on to win the Ranji Trophy last year. He played a major role as an allrounder, so a very good option for us.”
It is evident that Rohit has shared a dressing room with Kotian before, while playing for Mumbai on a few occasions.
FAQs
How did Tanush Kotian fared in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25?
9 wickets in 9 games
How many wickets did Ashwin take in BGT 2024-25?
1
