Following Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement, Mumbai all-rounder to join India's Test squad for BGT 2024-25: Reports

Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test has left a void in the Indian team, particularly in the role of a spin-bowling all-rounder.

With two Tests still to go, the visitors will have to put up an exceptional display if they are to win the series. The fourth Test is set to begin on Thursday, December 26, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Following Ashwin's retirement, the Indian team has reportedly called up Mumbai's spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian to the squad. According to a report by Sportstar, Tanush Kotian is set to leave for Australia on Tuesday (December 24) and will join the squad in Melbourne ahead of the fourth BGT 2024-25 Test.

Tanush Kotian was participating in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai and was with the team in Ahmedabad when he received the call-up. Following Ashwin's retirement and the need for a back-up, Kotian will now travel to Australia.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are currently the only two spinners in the Indian squad following Ashwin's exit.

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Tanush Kotian's performances on Indian domestic circuit rewarded with maiden call-up

Tanush Kotian is a right-handed batter and bowls right-arm off-break. He has played 33 first-class matches for Mumbai so far and has picked up 101 wickets at an average of 25.70 and an economy rate of 3.31. The 26-year-old also has five four-wicket and three five-wicket hauls.

With the bat, Kotian has scored 1,525 runs at an average of 41.21, with two hundreds and three half-centuries to his name. He has a top score of 120 not out. Kotian has been a consistent performer and one of the top spin-bowling all-rounders in the Indian domestic circuit of late.

The Mumbai all-rounder was also with the India A team that toured Australia before the start of the BGT 2024-25 series. While it remains to be seen if he will make it to the playing XI in Melbourne straightaway, his performances in domestic cricket have been rewarded with a maiden call-up.