India have drafted in uncapped Tanush Kotian to their 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a replacement for recently retired R Ashwin. Here’s everything you need to know about the spin-bowling all-rounder.
An off-spin bowling all-rounder, in the same mould as Ashwin, Kotian has become a reliable performer for Mumbai in domestic cricket in recent years. With 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and 29 wickets at 16.96, Kotian powered Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in 2024. No other player achieved the double of 500 runs and 25 wickets that season, earning him the Player of the Tournament.
Of his notable achievements with the bat, a maiden first-class century off 115 balls at No.10 in a record partnership in the quarter-final was his highlight. He followed that up with an unbeaten 89 in the semi-finals against Tamil Nadu, reducing Mumbai from a tricky position to a dominant innings win. In the final against Vidarbha, it was his ball that did the talking, picking up a match-winning seven-wicket haul.
According to Sportstar, Tanush Kotian will leave for Australia on Tuesday, three days out from the fourth Test, beginning on Boxing Day at the MCG.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 23, 2024
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He also helped Mumbai win the Irani Cup with 64 and 114 against Rest of India. The second innings was more remarkable since it bailed out Mumbai from 125-6 to force a draw, ultimately leading to their victory due to the first innings lead, in which Kotian also played a decisive role with three wickets.
"I backed myself completely: my shots, my bowling strengths. I kept thinking about how I can improve and make the captain believe in me that whenever required, I'm there to contribute with both bat and ball for the team," Kotian said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
"I wanted to make the most of the opportunities. I built my game around that, I worked with the coaches every day in training sessions about coming up with different plans, like what line to bowl with just two fielders on the off side. I worked a lot on my bowling over two years. This also gave me a lot of confidence which I didn't have earlier because I had not performed."
The result is there for everyone to see as his wickets count rose from 18 in the 2021-22 season to 20 in the next and 29 in the triumphant season. At the same time, his runs tally shot from 262 to 303 and then 502.
By his admission, Kotian’s biggest plus is his pace. In combination with his height, he is able to generate extra bounce and turn.
A week after his successful Ranji campaign, Kotian bagged his maiden IPL contract by being picked up by Rajasthan Royals as an injury replacement for Adam Zampa.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, he has been in stellar form as well, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 16.66. His exploits earned him an India A call-up for two unofficial Tests against Australia A ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He made a duck and a 44. With the ball, he went wicketless in the first innings before bagging one in the second.
Kotian’s overall first-class figures are impressive. From 33 matches, he has picked up 101 wickets at 25.70 besides scoring 1,525 runs at 41.21. While Ashwin’s shoes are too big to fill, Kotian can pave his own trajectory. The recent performances suggest he has what it takes to be India’s next premier spin-bowling all-rounder.
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