Mumbai’s formidable all-rounder duo, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani, have been instrumental in the team’s recent Ranji Trophy success. However, their partnership will be temporarily broken as Kotian prepares to join the India A squad for their tour of Australia.
Mulani, the senior partner, expressed his admiration for Kotian’s batting abilities, stating that he will miss him more as a batter than a bowler. “We have been bowling together and doing well together, but with the replacements we have, I am sure Himanshu (Singh) and I can also deliver in tandem,” Mulani said.
The Mumbai team recently secured a nine-wicket victory against Maharashtra, a crucial win after a disappointing loss to Baroda. Mulani emphasized the importance of bouncing back from the setback. “We reflected pretty hard on the loss. We went through the video footage extensively. Some people took responsibility for the loss. It feels nice for our side when the seniors club in and the others raise take responsibility. It feels nice with the way we bounced back on the first morning here that set the game up for us,” he said.
Kotian’s departure for Australia presents an opportunity for other players to step up and fill his void. Himanshu Singh is expected to take over Kotian’s role as the team’s primary all-rounder. Singh has shown promise in the past, and Mulani is confident in his ability to contribute to the team’s success.
Despite the temporary separation, Mulani remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. “All the best to Tanush, it’s a huge opportunity to represent India A. I will not miss him that much (with the ball) but definitely will miss him as a batter,” he said.
