Ex-Mumbai Indians Player Joins Punjab Kings as Net Bowler for KKR Game

26-year-old Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian joined Punjab Kings as a net bowler in preparation for their upcoming game against Kolkata Knight Riders. Kotian, unsold in the auction for this year's IPL, was observed to practice at nets, bowling to PBKS batsmen, and indulging in lengthy arguments with spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi during a recent practice camp. The acquisition also reflects the increasing role of home-based players in practice camps of IPL teams getting acclimatised to pressure latter stages of the league. Though Punjab Kings have a good spin department in the names of Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, and Praveen Dubey, Kotian's signing provides them with a cover spin option.

His conventional off-spinner to them gives them one more level of practice, particularly when they play against teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, who have mystery spinners in the names of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. By including Kotian in practice matches, PBKS will be adequately set to expose their batsmen to another type of spin, thus sufficiently preparing them for the test ahead. Kotian, being a regular local cricket member, was the main driving force behind Mumbai's success in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. In spite of not being selected during the auction, his local circuit experience and technical skills helped him secure a place in the PBKS.

Being included in the team net session indicates a player is such an asset who might not be part of the daily team but is a game-changer for the team when the situation arises to strategize the next game. Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer, who was known to Kotian on a personal level as they played together in Mumbai, might also have been remembered. Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain when they won the IPL in 2024, understands the value of a consistent pipeline of local players and how much help Kotian can be to the team. Kotian, on Thursday, was added to the PBKS team and attended their training camps right from the start, providing feedback and bowling tough yards to the net-batsmen.

This decision is an indicator of the rising trend for IPL teams to use local players, not only in match conditions but also for net practice. While the IPL season is already on, teams are searching for means to legitimize their game plan and intensify preparations, having seasoned players like Kotian available for net practice can prove to be a game-changer as regards managing top-level competition.