Mumbai All-Rounder Tanush Kotian Receives Call-Up to Indian Team for Melbourne Test

New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Mumbai’s off-spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian has received a call-up to join the Indian team for the Boxing Day Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, commencing in Melbourne on Thursday. Sources have informed IANS that Kotian, who is currently playing for Mumbai in the league stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Ahmedabad, will fly to Australia on Tuesday afternoon.

According to sources, Axar Patel was initially slated to travel to Australia, but with the birth of his first child, he has returned home, prompting Kotian's inclusion in the Test squad in Melbourne.

Kotian is recognized as one of the top off-spin all-rounders in the Indian domestic circuit. He previously participated in the India A team’s tour of Australia, where they played two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne prior to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which is currently tied at 1-1.

This marks Kotian's first call-up to the Test team following the retirement of veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from international cricket after the rain-affected third Test that concluded in a draw at the Gabba, Brisbane. He will now be one of the three spin-bowling all-rounder options for India, alongside the off-spin of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm spin.

While Sundar participated in the first Test in Perth, Jadeja played in the third Test at Brisbane. During the 2023/24 Ranji Trophy, Kotian showcased his talent by claiming 29 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 16.96. He also scored 502 runs, which included five half-centuries and one century, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament in Mumbai's successful bid for the 42nd Ranji title.

Overall, Kotian has played 33 first-class matches, accumulating 2,523 runs at an average of 41.21, while taking 101 wickets at an average of 25.7, including three five-wicket hauls. In a recent Group C match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kotian was named Player of the Match after an all-round performance, achieving figures of 2-38 and scoring 39 not out off 37 balls, leading Mumbai to a three-wicket victory.