Photo via The Times of India

‘Working on my skills with Joshi, Paranjape sir’: Tanush Kotian ahead of Ranji Trophy opener

Mumbai off-spinner Tanush Kotian is entering the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy with a focused push to elevate his game after a limited outing last season. The 27-year-old has been refining his skills under the guidance of former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, as well as with batting coach Jatin Paranjape in Mumbai.

Kotian highlighted his work on bowling variations—including arm balls, pace adjustments, and new-ball tactics—after a strong Duleep Trophy performance, where he claimed eight wickets (4/72 and 4/46) for West Zone against North Zone. Despite finishing with nine wickets at 32.77 in just three Ranji Trophy matches last year, Kotian dismissed concerns about top-order impact, citing dropped catches and an elbow injury that cut short his season.

His Ranji debut against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday marks a critical opportunity to regain momentum and secure a spot in the India A squad.

Kotian emphasized his adaptability, noting improvements in crease movement and wicket selection, while acknowledging the challenges of last year’s quarterfinal collapse, where Mumbai fell short against Karnataka. Though he took two wickets in 21 overs during that match, his campaign was derailed by injury, forcing him to prioritize team needs over personal form.

With the new season underway, his ability to execute under pressure—both with the ball and in high-stakes moments—will be key to turning recent progress into tangible results.

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