Mumbai offspin-bowling allrounder Tanush Kotian has been named as R. Ashwin’s replacement for the fourth and fifth Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The announcement was made by the Mumbai Cricket Association on Monday evening following Ashwin’s unexpected retirement after the conclusion of the third Test in Brisbane.
Kotian, currently in Hyderabad competing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with Mumbai, will join the Indian squad in Melbourne on Tuesday. The series, tied at 1-1, moves into its critical phase with the fourth Test starting on Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Kotian’s inclusion bolsters India’s spin options as he joins the squad as a backup for Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, with Axar Patel ruled unavailable. His first-class record highlights his potential, with 101 wickets in 33 matches at an average of 25.70, alongside an impressive batting record of 1525 runs in 47 innings at an average of 41.21, including two centuries and 13 fifties.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in Mumbai’s victorious 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign, scoring 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and taking 29 wickets at an average of 16.96. His remarkable all-round performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award, making him the only player to achieve the double of 500 runs and 25 wickets that season.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Kotian has participated in two of Mumbai’s five matches due to commitments in Australia. He has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 16.66, though his batting form has dipped, managing only 30 runs in three innings. Notably, in the Irani Cup against the Rest of India in October, he delivered a standout performance, scoring 64 and an unbeaten 114 from No. 8, while also taking three wickets in his sole bowling innings.
Kotian is considered one of India’s promising prospects, alongside 22-year-old left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Manav Suthar from Rajasthan. Both players featured in the India A tour of Australia before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Saurabh Kumar of Uttar Pradesh remains in the mix, Kotian’s strong domestic record has elevated his standing in the national setup.
Also See: India vs Australia Tour Schedule | India Cricket Schedule 2025 | Australia Cricket Schedule
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Tanush Kotian, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.