Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Shardul Thakur's Heroic Game Play Rescue Mumbai Against J&K

Shardul Thakur from Mumbai just mastered it with an excellent century against Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) during the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game at the BKC Ground in Mumbai. The individual scored a smashing 100 from 105 balls, including 15 boundaries, which saved Mumbai when they were in a strangely terrible position. Before that, Mumbai's openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, only made 28 and 26, which was not very good, against the J&K bowlers, who had them cornered at 120 all in the first innings.

But then, Shardul wasn't alone, he had Tanush Kotian with him who scored a tough 92-ball half-century. Kotian hit six boundaries, which was really helpful. Together, they brought Mumbai back from a difficult situation. The J&K team was ahead at first after they got Mumbai out for just 120 and then scored 206 themselves, giving them an 86-run lead.

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LORD THAKUR.

- Shardul is saving Mumbai at BKC 👌 pic.twitter.com/FXkbkJD2QV

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 24, 2025

ALSO READ: Major Change in England's Playing XI for 2nd T20 Against India at Chepauk

But Shardul and Kotian's partnership might just change everything. Now, with that important second innings from Shardul, his second ton in his First-Class cricket Carrer, and Kotian staying strong, they've got hope. Mumbai's setup to maybe make things better and win this tight match. Let us wait and see how Mumbai can use this and to stay focused. 

The 26-year-old Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has been surprisingly included in the Indian Test squad for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as a replacement for retired Ravichandran Ashwin. 

The five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia has already experienced three Tests, as both teams won one Test each. At the end of the last Test at the Gabba (Brisbane), Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket. Tanush Kotian will be now available for the Indian Test side in the next two Tests at Melbourne and Sydney. 

Tanush Kotian is an off-spin-bowling all-rounder. He made his first-class debut in December 2018 and began his List A and T20 career in 2021. He recently toured Australia with India A, where he played one first-class match to pick up one wicket and score 44 runs in one innings. 

Watch: Irfan Pathan recreates Rohit Sharma's T20 World Cup-winning celebration

Tanush Kotian: Impressive first-class career records

The Mumbai all-rounder Kotian has taken 101 wickets in 33 first-class matches. In his first-class career, the off-spinner has recorded three fifers. Also, the right-handed batter has scored 1525 runs in 47 first-class innings with the help of two centuries and 13 half-centuries.  

Tanush Kotian: Player of the Tournament in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24

Tanush Kotian was outstanding in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24, as the Mumbai all-rounder was the Player of the Tournament. He finished the tournament with 502 runs and 29 wickets. While the right-handed batter recorded one century and five half-centuries in that competition, the off-spinner also claimed one fifer. 

In the final of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 against Vidarbha, while Mumbai claimed their first Ranji Trophy in seven years, Kotian picked up seven wickets, including three wickets in the second innings (3/7) and four wickets in the fourth innings (4/95).

Tanush Kotian has been added to India's squad for BGT. pic.twitter.com/dTQjRKkguw

— Kashif (@cricstate) December 23, 2024

Ranji Rewind ⏪

Tanush Kotian has impressed with his all-round efforts in the #RanjiTrophy so far 🙌

He is in brilliant form & one to watch out for in #Final 👌

Relive 📽️ the Mumbai all-rounder's fighting fifer against Uttar Pradesh in the group stage 🔥 🔽 pic.twitter.com/LylQgKgzno

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 8, 2024

Entered record books during the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarterfinal

During the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarterfinal against Baroda, Kotian and Tushar Deshpande created tournament history by recording the second-highest 10th-wicket partnership in the Ranji Trophy history with a 232-run partnership. While the no.10 batter Kotian scored 120 not out, the no.11 batter Deshpande scored 123 runs. It was the only second time in first-class cricket history that both the no.10 and no.11 batters hit centuries in the same innings.

Shined in the latest Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup

During the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, Kotian served for the champions India A, where he scored 121 runs in five innings, including one half-century, and took 10 wickets in three matches. In the tournament final, he took a total of four wickets (1/38 and 3/47) along with scoring 10 and 26 not out.

Tanush Kotian is turning it on for India A 🔥

Gets the wickets of Ishan Kishan & Abishek Porel in quick succession 👌

Brilliant catch from captain Mayank Agarwal as well.

India C are 184/5#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Follow the match ▶️: https://t.co/QkxvrUnnhz pic.twitter.com/ZaxWYkluCj

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 22, 2024

While Mumbai won the Irani Cup 2024-25 after 27 years, Kotian confirmed Mumbai’s victory with his second first-class century (114 not out) and set up a 158-run partnership for the unbroken ninth wicket with Mohit Avasthi, who scored 51 not out. 

In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, Kotian has taken 12 wickets in two matches and scored 30 runs. 

White-ball cricket performances

Kotian has also played 20 List A matches and 33 T20s, where the off-spinner picked up 20 and 33 wickets, respectively, and scored 90 and 87 runs. Although the late batter hasn’t scored much in the white-ball formats yet, his strike rates are shining: 118.42 in List A and 98.86 in T20.

Just made the IPL debut

While Kotian was unsold in the recent mega auction for the IPL 2025, he made his IPL debut in the 2024 season for Rajasthan Royals, where the right-handed batter scored 24 off 31 balls in his only match and didn’t bowl. 

Mumbai's spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian has been called up to join the Indian Test team for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is learned that Tanush Kotian will leave for Australia on Tuesday.

Kotian is an off-spin bowler and bats right-handed. He was with the Mumbai squad in Ahmedabad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy when he was called up for the Indian Test team. Tanush was adjudged as Player of the Match for his all-round performance against Hyderabad today. He picked up 2 for 38 which helped his side to restrict Hyderabad for 169 in 38.1 overs. Kotian shined with the bat as well when Mumbai was in trouble at 105-7 while chasing 170. He scored 39* off 37 and took his side home by 3 wickets.

Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement follows the call-up for this 26-year-old Spin All-Rounder.

Tanush has been one of the best spin-all-rounders in the current domestic circuit. He was part of the India A team when they toured Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

See Also:- Australia vs. India Boxing Day Test: Rain Alert According to Latest Weather Forecast at MCG

Tanush scored 44 while batting at no. 8 for India A and showed some resilience in the 2nd game between Australia A and India A at Melbourne.

Kotian has a stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Season where he was adjudged as the Player of the Series award. He scalped 29 wickets with an average of 16.96 and scored 502 runs at an average of 41.83 including five half-centuries and a century. So, his contribution was significant in Mumbai's 42nd Ranji title win.

Tanush Kotian and his first-class Career

Tanush Kotian has scored 1525 runs at an average of 41.21 in 33 first-class matches. He has picked up 101 wickets so far with a bowling average of 25.70. His consistent performance in domestic cricket has led him to earn the Team India call-up.

Kotian was part of the Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 season. Where he scored 24 runs on debut but didn't get to bowl. Unfortunately, Tanush Kotian went unsold in the IPL Auction 2025.

Updated Indian squad for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian