Mumbai’s off-spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian has been unexpectedly added to the Indian squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday.
Kotian, who is currently playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage in Ahmedabad, will fly to Australia on Tuesday. Sources confirmed that his call-up follows Axar Patel’s return to India due to the birth of his first child, with Kotian stepping in for him in the Melbourne Test.
Kotian has been impressive in the domestic circuit, emerging as one of the top off-spin all-rounders in India. He was previously part of the India A team that toured Australia, playing in two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne.
The BCCI statement, released by Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia, highlighted Kotian’s achievements in first-class cricket. The 26-year-old has played 33 matches, claiming 101 wickets at an average of 25.70. Additionally, he has scored over 2,500 runs, including two centuries, and has taken three five-wicket hauls. Kotian was named Player of the Tournament in the 2023/24 Ranji Trophy season, contributing both with bat and ball.
His surprise inclusion comes after Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket. Kotian will now join other spin options like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in India’s squad.
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