Mumbai star joins Punjab Kings just before KKR clash in Eden Gardens

Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has joined Punjab Kings as a net bowler for the ongoing IPL 2025 season after going unsold at the mega auction last year. The 26-year-old spinner was seen bowling to Punjab Kings (PBKS) batters in training ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kotian was also seen having deep discussions with the Punjab Kings’ spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi as the batters were preparing for the IPL 2025 encounter against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, April 26, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Punjab Kings signs Tanush Kotian to decode KKR’s mystery spin in IPL 2025 clash

The Punjab Kings are currently relying on Yuzvendra Chahal as their lead spinner, along with Harpreet Brar and Praveen Dubey, both of whom are leg-spinners, so bringing in Kotian is seen as a smart and tactical move. The franchise hopes Kotian’s traditional off-spin with a different style will help PBKS batters to prepare better to face spin-heavy teams like Kolkata Knight Riders.

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KKR has two mystery spinners in their lineup, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, who are known for troubling even the best batters. Given that, Tanush Kotian’s presence adds variety in the PBKS nets and helps the team gear up for the spin threat ahead in the ongoing IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, Tanush Kotian has been a key performer for Mumbai in domestic cricket, and he played a key role in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph earlier this season. However, he failed to get a deal at the IPL 2025 mega auction, but Punjab Kings signed him to fine-tune their game against the spinners.

Read Also: Stephen Fleming explodes on CSK resources after IPL 2025 exit

Shreyas Iyer's influence behind Tanush Kotian's signing!!

Interestingly, it is being said that Punjab Kings’ decision to rope Kotian in was influenced by their captain, Shreyas Iyer, who shares the Mumbai dressing room with the young all-rounder.

Additionally, Iyer had led KKR to the IPL title in 2024, so he has deep insight into their squad; thus, he has reportedly suggested Kotian’s name to help the PBKS batters prepare for Kolkata’s mystery spin threat.

Kotian joined the PBKS squad on Thursday, April 24, and made an instant impact in the nets, troubling batters with his smart variations and disciplined lines.

🚨 Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has joined Punjab Kings as net bowler#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/iNixjR7JPi

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) April 25, 2025

PBKS and KKR gear up for another IPL record-breaker

Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a narrow defeat in their last game this season, as PBKS defended only 111 runs. Interestingly, in IPL 2024, KKR and PBKS were also part of a historic high-scoring match where Punjab chased down a massive 262.

Their last two encounters hold IPL records—one for the lowest total ever defended and the other for the highest total ever chased. With six games left, PBKS must win at least three to stay alive in the IPL 2025 playoff race.

But there's a ghost from the past haunting them, as their last playoff appearance was way back in 2014. It’s been over a decade of heartbreak, and the pressure is mounting on the Shreyas Iyer-led side.

However, they have a good chance to make it to the top 4, having won five of their eight games so far in the ongoing IPL 2025. They are currently sitting in fifth place in the points table and would love to add two more points to their tally when they face KKR on Saturday.

Read Also: KKR vs PBKS Weather and Pitch Report Of Eden Gardens, Kolkata- IPL 2025, Match 44