India A off-spinner steps up as R Ashwin’s replacement with stunning Duleep Trophy fifty, name is…

Mumbai off-spinner Tanush Kotian is being seen as a potential replacement for R Ashwin in the Indian Test team. He has been consistently performing well in domestic cricket.

New Delhi: After the retirement of R Ashwin, the position of off-spinner is vacant in the Indian cricket team. Washington Sundar and Mumbai cricketer Tanush Kotian are being seen as his replacements. Sundar is being seen as an all-rounder instead of a specialist spinner. In such a situation, Kotian can strengthen his claim as an off-spinner. However, he is also useful with the bat. Playing for West Zone in the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy 2025, he scored a half-century against Central Zone. He came in at number seven and scored 76 runs.

How did Tanush Kotian perform?

Tanush Kotian made crucial partnerships of 148 runs with Rituraj Gaikwad and 84 runs with Shardul Thakur for the sixth wicket. With this, the West Zone team was able to cross the 400-run mark. Kotian said that batting in the lower order is a challenge and he enjoys it.

What was Tanush Kotian’s statement?

“Batting down the order, I take it as a challenge. There are so many good batsmen in the team that I have to go low down the order, so I try to contribute as much as I can, down the order, with the tailenders to give the bowlers a cushion to bowl,” Kotian said after the second day’s play on Friday.

What did Tanush Kotian say about selection in Team India?

Tanush Kotian was included in the Indian Test squad after Ashwin’s retirement on the Australia tour. But he could not make his debut. He has been a part of India A continuously. But he is not thinking much about selection in Team India. He says that he wants to continue doing what he is doing well. He said, “In the last 6 months, I am trying to do what I have been doing, I am not thinking that I will play this match, I will play that match. The future is with the selectors, but I try to give my 100 per cent whether it is batting or bowling, “So it stays in my mind and if I have to take wickets, I will have to give my 100 per cent and if I have to score, I will have to give my 100 per cent.”

Story Highlights:

1. Tanush Kotian hit a half-century while batting at number seven for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
2. He has been regularly included in the India A squad.
3. In 2024, Kotian was selected for the Indian Test team for the tour of Australia.