India have issued a maiden call-up to Mumbai off-spinner Tanush Kotian, who will join the team for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Indian Express understands that Kotian has been included as a back-up option after Axar Patel informed the BCCI that he is not available due to personal reasons.
The selectors have been forced to include Kotian after R Ashwin announced international retirement at the end of the third Test at Brisbane. The 26-year-old Kotian who is part of Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in Ahmedabad will leave for Australia on Tuesday.
Kotian an off-spinner, is also a reliable lower-order batsman. In 33 first-class matches he has picked up 101 wickets and has scored two centuries and 13 half centuries. Over the years he has been amongst the regulars for Mumbai across all formats and in the last few seasons his stocks have been increasing because of his all-round abilities.
In this season’s Irani Cup, Kotian scored a century against Rest of India as Mumbai ended the 27-year drought. In the Duleep Trophy, he picked up 10 wickets in three matches for India A in it’s victorious campaign.
Following Ashwin’s retirement, India have only Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as their spin bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav isn’t part of the touring party as he is being treated for an injury.
While Axar was the automatic pick, the all-rounder has sought a break because of personal reasons.
The series is locked 1-1 with two Tests lined up at Melbourne and Sydney.
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