Tanush Kotian for IND vs AUS Tests? Ex-India selector openly asks BCCI to ignore Washington Sundar

Former India selector Jatin Paranjape reckons that Tanush Kotian should be considered for India A and also as a backup player for the Test series against Australia later this year. Paranjape also feels that Kotian is better than Washington Sundar currently and should be heavily invested.

Kotian recently had a terrific Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup in which he impressed with both bat and ball. The offspinner picked up 10 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 22 in Duleep Trophy while playing for India A. Besides his wickets, he also scored 121 runs at an average of 30.25 with a best of 53.

In the recently concluded Irani Cup, he picked up 3 wickets with the ball at an average of 33.66 and scored a magnificent hundred in the second innings of the match which helped Mumbai bat throughout the fifth day and clinch the Irani Cup title after 27 years.

Also read: Sanath Jayasuriya appointed Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men's Team after interim role

Tanush Kotian is "more investible currently than Washington Sundar" - Jatin Paranjape

Jatin Paranjape was highly impressed with the recent performances of Tanush Kotian and feels that the bowling allrounder should be considered for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former India cricketer also feels that Kotian is more investible than Washington Sundar.

"Selectors should consider taking Tanush Kotian into the India A Scheme of things and also as a back up player for the Australian tour. His learning will be accelerated. He is more investible currently than Washington Sundar," Paranjape posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Selectors should consider taking Tanush Kotian into the India A Scheme of things and also as a back up player for the Australian tour. His learning will be accelerated. He is more investible currently than Washington Sundar.

— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) October 6, 2024

India's current crop of spinners in Tests

While India have good quality spinners for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the form of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, Paranjape believes that Kotian can be used as a backup player for the series.

Currently, the selectors see Washington Sundar as India's next offspinner after Ashwin. Sundar has already played 4 Tests and picked up 6 wickets. His numbers with the bat are impressive as he has scored 265 runs at an average of 66.25 with 3 fifties. The 25-year-old played a key role in India's Gabba win in the 2020-21 tour of Australia.

Tanush Kotian's first-class career

Alongside being a good offspinner, Tanush Kotian is also a handy lower-order batter. The 25-year-old has played 25 first-class matches and picked up 88 wickets at an average of 26.13 with 2 five-wicket hauls.

With the bat, his numbers are highly impressive as he has scored 1451 runs at an average of 45.34 with 2 hundreds and 13 fifties to his name. With India looking for a quality offspinner to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in the future, Kotian can be a perfect cricketer given his all-around credentials.

However, the youngster needs to be groomed properly to reach that level. If he can perform well in the upcoming Ranji Trophy, he can be in selectors' radar for India A series and tours.