Ravichandran Ashwin and Tanush Kotian. | (Credits: X)
Team India have reportedly announced Ravichandran Ashwin’s replacement for the remaining two Tests against Australia as bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian will join the squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. As per reports, the 26-year-old will fly to Australia on December 24, Tuesday and remains to be seen if he gets picked for the game.
Ashwin, 38, announced a shock retirement immediately after the third Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. The off-spinner had played only one Test out of the three, selected for the pink-ball fixture at the Adelaide Oval. Nevertheless, the veteran was largely ineffective, managing only one wicket in 18 overs.
Kotian, meanwhile, has starred in 33 first-class games thus far after debuting in the format in 2018. The Mumbai-born cricketer has picked up 101 scalps at 25.70 and has scored 1525 runs averaging 41.21 with two centuries.
India have won the last two Boxing Day Tests against Australia
Meanwhile, the tourists are targeting a hat-trick of Boxing Day Test wins over Australia, having previously won in 2018 and 2020. However, India must sort out their batting struggles to find success at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) against Australia.
India’s first innings batting have been poor in all three Tests and the game in Brisbane was the first time in the series they made it to 200 in their opening dig. Australia have their own issues with the batting and are likely to have a new opener in Sam Konstas, with Nathan McSweeney dropped.
Australia will also make one more confirmed change as Scott Boland remains the front runner to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.
