Tanush Kotian says another strong Ranji season could force Test recall
Tanush Kotian said on Saturday (October 10, 2026), on the eve of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh in Mumbai, that he is aiming to force his way into India’s Test side with another strong Ranji Trophy season.
The 27-year-old all-rounder was Player of the Tournament in Mumbai’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy triumph and received a maiden India call-up as a replacement for R. Ashwin during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, but a Test debut has so far not materialised. Saransh Jain was chosen as the off-spinner for India’s tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, leaving Kotian to press his case through domestic cricket and India A appearances.
“I am performing, but there is no disappointment,” Kotian said, adding that he focuses on doing what helps Mumbai win. “I see how I can win games for my team by performing in every match. Wherever I get the opportunity, whether it is India A or the Duleep Trophy, I can showcase myself and show what talent I have. In fielding, too, I try to give my 100 per cent. I just try to tick the boxes. The rest is up to the selectors, and I will wait for that opportunity. When it comes, I will grab that chance.”
He identified the coming months as a crucial window with India’s next home Test assignment against Australia scheduled to begin in January, and stressed that a strong Ranji campaign will be important to force selection discussions. “I have been working with Sunil Joshi sir at the Centre of Excellence and over here also at VPCC (Vasoo Paranjape Cricket Clinic) with Jatin Paranjape sir. I am working on my skills a little bit, and I think this game will be crucial for me to show my performance and get into the side,” he said.
Kotian said his development has focused on adding options to his off-spin rather than changing his basic action, including work on angles, pace and variations such as the arm ball and the straighter delivery. He has also experimented with a new-ball role in the Duleep Trophy after consulting with Ruturaj Gaikwad. “I have been using the crease really well with the angles, bowling over the wicket and round the wicket to right-handers as well as left-handers. I am also working on the pace — which pace is effective on which wickets,” he said.
On using the new ball specifically, Kotian described practical work and match experience: “With the new ball, I have worked on the arm ball. In the Duleep Trophy, I started with the new ball in the first innings. I have worked on that and shown it in practice as well. I think it will be more effective when I get the new ball and a hard ball to work with on the surface.” He said changes have come through experimenting with grips and match situations rather than altering his action. “Every year is something special for me. I bring something new and try it directly in games. I feel I am more equipped now. I have four or five years of experience and am capable of doing it directly in a match. I have evolved a lot,” he said.
Kotian underlined his dual role for Mumbai, describing his batting and bowling as complementary ways to change a game and outlining a process-driven approach to match contributions. “I keep it as simple as possible because I don’t complicate things. When I go out to bat, I play my shots. I don’t think about the pressure the team is under. I try to put pressure on the opponents and score as much as I can,” he said. “In bowling, whenever I get the ball, I try to take wickets. If the team needs me to contain runs, I do that job. I try to express myself well.”
Kotian declined to dwell on Mumbai’s quarterfinal loss to Karnataka last season, noting his belief that his bowling there was strong despite the wickets column: “I don’t want to go into wickets and all, but I think I have taken a lot of wickets, including top-order wickets, and have a lot of five-wicket hauls in my bag. I don’t have to prove to anyone what I have done.” He also recalled returning from an elbow injury to play the knockouts and said, “If a few chances had been grabbed, I would have seen a five-for too.”
Kotian has attended IPL trials but has not yet secured a contract, and for now he is concentrating on red-ball performance. He said his immediate task is to convert preparation into match performances so he can press for selection ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the India home Tests starting in January.