Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Tanush Kotian shows the way as Mumbai’s top order falls in quarter-finals in Eden

In Mumbai’s match against Haryana in the current Ranji Trophy 2024–25 quarterfinal, bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian delivered a valiant knock.

Following a disastrous performance by Mumbai’s star-studded top-order, which included players like Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav, Kotian joined forces with the lower-order to launch a counterattack in the first innings. The all-rounder combination of Shams Mulani and Kotian was crucial for Mumbai after they lost seven wickets for 114 on Day 1.

Mulani felt just short of his hundred runs after hitting 91 runs with eleven boundaries thanks to his outstanding middle-field batting. The play on the first day was called with Kotian and Mohit Avasthi both still undefeated at 85 after Stumps had played ten balls. The pair contributed 165 runs to improve the 42-time champions’ position.

Tanush Kotian was lured to hit a few boundary riders by the opposing pacers who had put up a field full of them by the start of the second day.

To help the team reach their first innings total and to reach his individual milestone, the young player maintained composure and refrained from taking extra runs. Unfortunately, a ripper from Sumit Kumar knocked Kotian out by just three runs.

Mumbai finishes with 315 in the first innings.

At one point in the game, the reigning champs were in ruins, but thanks to his knock, they managed to reach 315. Kotian, who contributed about one-third of Mumbai’s first innings total, was also the team’s top scorer. Even though he was unable to score his third century in First Class cricket, his knock might prove to be a turning point in their attempt to win the championship again.

Regarding Haryana’s bowlers, Anshul Kamboj and Sumit Kumar both claimed three wickets, with the remaining four wickets being split evenly between Jayant Yadav, Anuj Thakral, AK Chahal, and Nishant Sindhu. In the current match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Mumbai will try to take the lead, while Haryana’s batters will now have the burden.