IPL 2025: Tanush Kotian joins Punjab Kings as net bowler ahead of KKR clash

Tanush Kotian, who was part of Rajasthan Royals last year, joined the Punjab Kings as a net bowler on Friday, midway through the current season.

In Short

• Tanush Kotian was spotted bowling to Punjab Kings batters
• He played a key role in Mumbai's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win
• Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are ready to face off once again

Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) as a net bowler ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Kotian, who went unsold in the IPL auction earlier this year, was spotted bowling to PBKS's batters during their training session on Friday, where he also engaged in in-depth conversations with PBKS's spin-bowling coach, Sunil Joshi.

The addition of Kotian to the squad is seen as a tactical decision, especially considering the challenges PBKS will face against a strong KKR side. With KKR's bowling attack featuring the mystery spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, Kotian's inclusion aims to bring a unique dimension to the nets, preparing PBKS batters for such tricky opposition bowlers.

Kotian, 26, is a seasoned campaigner on the domestic circuit, having played a pivotal role in Mumbai's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph earlier this season. His experience and variety as an orthodox off-spinner provide PBKS with a different spin option, which will aid their preparation for KKR's mystery spin threat. While PBKS already has a few solid spinners in their ranks, including Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, and Praveen Dubey, Kotian's off-spin adds an element of variety and depth to their training sessions.

One interesting angle is the connection between Kotian and PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, both of whom hail from Mumbai. Iyer, who led KKR to the IPL title in 2024, is said to have played a role in Kotian's inclusion in the PBKS setup. Iyer's familiarity with Kotian's skills from their shared Mumbai background might have influenced the decision to bring the all-rounder into the squad.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are ready to face off once again—just over ten days after that wild game where PBKS defended a mere 111. Before that, in IPL 2024, they pulled off a record-breaking chase of 262. Incredibly, their last two meetings have produced both the lowest total defended and the highest total chased in IPL history.

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