Mumbai’s off-spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, received his biggest call-up for a place in the Indian Cricket Team for the fourth test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be held in Melbourne.
Kotian Still In His Early Days
Aged just 26, Kotian’s call-up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 brings him to a new pinnacle as part of his cricketing journey built after years of arduous work, dogged persistence, and relentless commitment to cricketing. His rise to the Indian Cricket Team is a sign of India’s domestic cricket systems in producing world-class talent.
From Local Streets To Professional Cricket
Tanush Kotian’s cricketing journey started on the streets of Vikhroli, a suburb in Mumbai, where he honed his skills in the highly competitive environment of the city’s local cricket scene. A versatile player in his early years, Kotian began as an opening batsman and even bowled pace before a growth spurt pushed him to specialize in off-spin. His father, a semi-professional cricketer who runs a coaching academy, played a vital role in fostering his love for the game.
Kotian Breaking Through With Mumbai
Tanush Kotian’s breakthrough came when he joined Mumbai’s senior team in the 2022-2023 season after being dropped early in his career. Despite the setback, Kotian’s determination saw him rise through the ranks, leading to consistent performances that garnered attention. His off-spin bowling, along with his rise as a batsman, made him a true all-rounder. With his ability to extract turn and bounce at a pace of 85-90kph, Tanush Kotian’s bowling has often drawn comparisons with R. Ashwin, India’s legendary off-spinner.
Tanush Kotian Shines In The Domestic Circuit
Tanush Kotian’s stint with Mumbai in the season 2023-24 was nothing but phenomenal. He played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s historic Ranji Trophy victory, winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award with 502 runs and 29 wickets. His all-round brilliance included a memorable first-class century against Baroda, where he scored 120 runs off 115 balls at No. 10, setting a record 232-run partnership with Tushar Deshpande. His performances in the semi-finals and finals further stamped his reputation, with contributions like his 89* against Tamil Nadu and 7 wickets in the final against Vidarbha.
Tanush Kotian’s India A Call-Up
These performances not only helped Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy for the 42nd time but also caught the eye of the national selectors. A few months later, Kotian was selected for the India A team, which toured Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His stellar performances in domestic cricket, coupled with his excellent temperament and technical abilities, made him a strong contender for a spot in the senior squad.
Is Tanush Kotian Called-Up To Fill Ashwin’s Shoes?
Tanush Kotian’s rise also coincided with the retirement of R. Ashwin from international cricket, as a move that opened a window of opportunity for such emerging spin bowlers like Kotian. Ashwin, whose impact on Indian spin bowling has been monumental, became a guide for Kotian when he joined Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2024. Although Kotian didn’t feature much in the tournament, the learnings for the young cricketer must have been very rich indeed from people like Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Keshav Maharaj. It is well known that playing IPL helped him get more refined on how to play the spin bowlers in proper red-ball cricket.
Rahane Backs Kotian
Despite his success, Tanush Kotian remains focused on improving his skills. As Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai’s captain, once told him, his next challenge is to continue evolving as a bowler who can take wickets even when conditions aren’t favorable for spin. This advice from Rahane reflects Kotian’s constant desire to push boundaries, a quality that will serve him well as he transitions to the international stage.
Now all eyes would turn toward the promising newcomer as Tanush Kotian is scheduled to board for Melbourne to play with the Indian Cricket Team while hoping to behold the new chapter in India’s journey towards spin bowling legacy.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
