Mumbai cricketer Tanush Kotian has joined the Punjab Kings as a net bowler midway through the IPL 2025 season. He was earlier associated with the Rajasthan Royals but went unsold in this year’s auction. Kotian was seen bowling to PBKS batters during a training session on Friday and had detailed discussions with the team’s spin-bowling coach, Sunil Joshi.
His inclusion is seen as a strategic move to help Punjab Kings prepare for their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders. The KKR bowling lineup includes tricky spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, and Kotian’s off-spin skills will help the PBKS batters practice against similar bowling styles.
At 26, Kotian is an experienced player on the domestic circuit and played an important role in Mumbai’s recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win. His orthodox off-spin style offers PBKS a fresh option in the nets, even though they already have spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, and Praveen Dubey.
Strategic Preparation for KKR Challenge
The upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders is crucial for Punjab Kings. Their recent encounters have been dramatic, including a low-scoring game where PBKS defended just 111 runs, and another match from IPL 2024 where they chased a record-breaking total of 262. These results make the next meeting highly anticipated.
Kotian’s addition is aimed at giving PBKS better preparation against KKR’s spin-heavy attack. Practicing with someone like Kotian, who can replicate the style of Narine and Chakravarthy, might help Punjab’s batters handle pressure situations better. The team management clearly views this as a tactical advantage going into a high-stakes game.
Mumbai Connection and Team Dynamics
Another notable aspect of Kotian’s inclusion is his Mumbai connection with PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer. Both players have played together in Mumbai’s domestic setup and know each other’s skills well. Iyer, who led KKR to an IPL title in 2024 before moving to PBKS, may have influenced the decision to bring Kotian on board.
This familiarity can enhance team bonding and communication. Kotian’s presence in the nets not only brings experience but also adds depth and variation to the team’s practice sessions. With such intense matches ahead, every small advantage could make a big difference for Punjab Kings in their IPL 2025 campaign.
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