Punjab Kings rope in 26-yr-old Mumbai all-rounder ahead of IPL 2025 clash against KKR amidst playoff tussle

Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who found himself without a team after going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction earlier this year, has now joined the Punjab Kings. Tanush Kotian has been brought in as a net bowler midway through the current season.

Tanush Kotian joins Punjab Kings as a net bowler

The 26-year-old was observed actively participating in Punjab Kings' training session on the eve of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He was seen bowling to PBKS batters in the nets and also engaged in extended discussions with the team's spin-bowling coach, Sunil Joshi. While Punjab Kings possess a formidable spin attack spearheaded by Yuzvendra Chahal, they also have capable backup options in Harpreet Brar and Praveen Dubey, both of whom are leg-spinners with similar bowling styles.

To introduce more variety into their practice sessions, particularly in preparation for opponents like the Kolkata Knight Riders who feature unconventional spinners such as Sunil Narine and the in-form Varun Chakravarthy, the inclusion of Kotian's orthodox off-spin offers a valuable and contrasting dimension to their net sessions.

Tanush Kotian, a consistent performer in the domestic circuit, played an instrumental role in Mumbai's title triumph in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. His contributions with both bat and ball have made him a recognized talent in Indian domestic cricket.

It is believed that Mumbai connection of Punjab Kings' skipper Shreyas Iyer played a role in Kotian's addition to the team. Iyer, having previously led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024, possesses a deep understanding of the league and its dynamics. His familiarity with Kotian's capabilities likely influenced the decision to bring him into the Punjab Kings' setup. Kotian joined the Punjab Kings squad at their hotel on Thursday and immediately integrated into the team's activities. He wasted no time in getting involved, providing the PBKS batsmen with challenging overs during their net practice sessions.

Punjab Kings are currently placed at fifth position in the IPL 2025 points table with five wins in a total of eight games.