the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) He recently named the 26-year-old bowler Tanush Kotian As an alternative to Ravichandran Ashwin In the squad for the remaining two matches of India's tour of Australia 2024-25. Indian captain Rohit Sharma Highlight Kotian's choice over more experienced options such as Kuldeep Yadav and axar patel, After Ashwin's unexpected retirement, it left a void in India's spin department
Rohit Sharma explains the casting choice of Tanush Kotian
Rohit said Tanush was in Australia a month ago for an unofficial Test match between Australia A and India A, which was played just before the start of the season. Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 He jokingly added that Kuldeep does not have a visa. He added that they needed someone quickly, and Tanush was ready and performed well. However, he acknowledged that Tanush has performed consistently well over the past two years and has been brought in as a backup in case the two spinners play in Sydney or Melbourne.
“Tanush was here a month ago and Kuldeep did not have a visa. We needed someone to get here as quickly as possible. Tanush was ready and played well here. But all jokes aside, he has performed well over the last couple of years and we wanted a backup in case we played two teams in Sydney or MelbourneRohit said at the press conference.
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Choosing Tanush over Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel
Rohit also mentioned that Kuldeep is not fully fit after undergoing hernia surgery, and Axar has not been able to travel due to having recently given birth to a child. Therefore, Tanush was the best option and his performance was likely to be a key factor in Mumbai winning the Ranji Trophy last season.
“Kuldeep is not 100 percent fit as he underwent hernia surgery. Axar had recently given birth to a baby so she had no intention of travelling. Hence, Tanush was the best option for us and was probably one of the reasons why Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy last season.The Indian skipper added.
Tanush's impressive record in domestic cricket
Tanush's inclusion in the squad comes as a result of his consistent performances in domestic cricket. In his 33 first-class matches, Tanesh took 101 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls. His bowling abilities have made him an outstanding player, especially in long contests. Tanush's skills are highly regarded, and his selection highlights the selectors' confidence in his ability to perform on the international stage.
Apart from his bowling, Tanush is also known for his batting prowess. Over the course of 33 first-class matches he played, he amassed 1,525 runs, including two centuries. This all-round ability makes him a valuable asset to the team, adding depth to India's spin options.