Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) as a net bowler just before their important IPL 2025 match against  Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Kotian, who wasn’t picked in this year’s IPL auction, was seen bowling to PBKS batters during practice on Friday. He also spent time chatting and working closely with the team’s spin-bowling coach, Sunil Joshi.

PBKS bringing in Kotian looks like a smart move, especially with KKR having mystery spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. Kotian’s off-spin will help PBKS batters get used to facing tricky spin bowling ahead of the match. Even though PBKS already have good spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, and Praveen Dubey, having Kotian around adds something extra to their training.

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The 26-year-old Kotian is no stranger to big matches. He was a big part of Mumbai’s win in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this season. His experience and bowling style should be a big help for PBKS as they prepare for KKR.

🚨Tanush kotian joined as pbks net bowler 🚨

Welcome tanush pic.twitter.com/MdFtCmFEuE

— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) April 25, 2025

Tanush Kotian Joins Punjab Kings as Net Bowler Ahead of Big Game Against KKR

There’s also an interesting connection here PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer and Kotian are both from Mumbai. Iyer, who led KKR to the IPL title in 2024 before moving to PBKS, is believed to have recommended Kotian to the team. Knowing each other from Mumbai cricket might have made it an easy decision.

PBKS and KKR have given fans some unforgettable matches recently. Just ten days ago, PBKS defended a low score of 111 against KKR. And in IPL 2024, PBKS chased down a massive 262 against the same team! Their last two meetings have seen both the lowest score defended and the highest score chased in IPL history.