As per a Sportstar report, Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian is likely to board the flight to Australia on Tuesday and join the Indian Test team for the ensuing Border Gavaskar Trophy. The development comes following spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from cricket after the Gabba Test.
Kotian can be a like-for-like replacement for Ashwin in India’s squad touring down under currently. He has been excellent for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, having snared 101 wickets in 59 innings at a bowling Strike Rate of 46.4
Kotian was also a part of the India A setup that toured Australia ahead of the BGT for a two-match warm-up fixture. He featured in the first game and picked up just one wicket bowling 20.5 overs across two innings. However, he bounced back with a gritty 44 with the bat after getting out on a duck in the first innings.
Quite often in his brief career, Kotian has showcased surreal batting ability in adverse conditions, setting up Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy triumph last season. Although Washington Sundar is likely to be the successor to fill Ashwin’s shoe, Kotian could serve as a backup in the ongoing tour. India is also likely to continue with Ravindra Jadeja after the Gujarat veteran showed up with the bat at the Gabba.
In yet another development, Mohammad Shami has incurred a left knee swelling during his domestic outing with Bengal this season and will not be available for the remainder of BGT. He rubbed shoulders during the Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh and bowled 43 overs. The right-arm quick also played seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches for the State before the NCA report curbed him from playing the first half of Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The fourth Test between the two nations will kick off on the Boxing Day i.e. December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
