Mumbai, New Delhi, 23 December 2024: Mumbai’s offspinning all-rounder, Tanush Kotian, will join the Indian men’s team in Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, probably as a replacement for the recently retired Ravichandran Ashwin.
The move follows Ravichandran Ashwin’s announcement of his retirement from international cricket after the third Test in Brisbane.
Kotian, 26, is currently playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and is expected to join the squad in Melbourne ahead of the third Test.
He will fly from Ahmedabad to Mumbai on Tuesday before heading to Melbourne. Having recently toured Australia with India A, Kotian is unlikely to face any visa issues.
“Kotian has been added as a safety net and also to keep the squad number intact for the last two games. He only comes into the picture if either among Washy or Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] gets injured,” a senior BCCI source told PTI
With 33 first-class appearances, Kotian boasts an impressive record of 1,525 runs at an average of 41.21 and 101 wickets at 25.70.
He was named Player of the Tournament in Mumbai’s victorious 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign, scoring 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and taking 29 wickets at a remarkable 16.96.
The “MCG Test” refers to the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one of the most iconic stadiums in world cricket.
