TanushKotian had a fantastic domestic season for Mumbai, leading the charge that helped win a 42nd Ranji Trophy title. Kotian was awarded the player of the tournament as he showcased his all-around skills, picking up 29 wickets from 10 matches at an impressive average of 16.96. Additionally, he proved to be a valuable asset with the bat, amassing 502 runs. He played a crucial innings of 120 * against Baroda, followed by another vital knock of 89* in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu. These innings were instrumental in Mumbai getting over the line.
After his domestic cricket heroes, there were no surprises when the Rajasthan Royals roped him into the franchise asa replacement for Australian spinner Adam Zampa. However, to get to this stage, Kotian has had to slog it out with the Mumbai Maidans, much like many other young cricketers who dream about playing for their country and in the IPL.
It all started for Kotian with the Giles Shield and Harris Shield school competitions, which provided him with a platform to further excel and get noticed on the Mumbai circuit. Rajesh Sanil, his childhood coach and mentor, credited Kotian for his simplicity which has gotten him a long way. “Tanush has always been a hard-working boy, and he has put in the hours to reach where he is today,” said Sanil. “Mumbai cricket is always competitive, and to do well here, there are no chances of taking shortcuts. His simplicity and humility are factors which have kept him grounded, and that has resulted in his success.”
In the early stages of his cricketing journey, Kotian was a batsman. Later, he discovered his passion for off-spin bowling. Over time, this development transformed him into a genuine all-rounder for the Mumbai side. Coach Sanil attributes Kotian’s success to the dedication and hard work put in by his father. “The efforts of a very hardworking father have truly paid off,” he said. “He has invested a significant amount of time with Kotian, guiding and grooming him into the player he is today. Having someone to support and mentor you is crucial in a journey like this, and his father has always been there for him.”
The journey of every cricketer is marked by its trials, and Kotian faced a significant hurdle when his bowling action came under scrutiny for being faulty. Despite a successful Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy campaign in 2023, his aspirations of participating in the IPL were shattered as franchises withdrew their interest due to the concerns over his action. Disheartened by this setback, Kotian had to return to the drawing board and rework his action, with the guidance of Omkar Salvi.
Sanil acknowledged Salvi’s pivotal role, stating, “Salvi helped him a lot with work on his action. It was about focusing on the basics which both of them did splendidly together.” Kotian’s journey has only just begun, and if he continues to exhibit the same promise he showed in the Ranji Trophy, the future appears bright not only for Mumbai, but also for Indian cricket as a whole.
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