Mumbai’s winning formula in the Ranji Trophy is facing a temporary shake-up as the team’s all-rounder duo, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani, find themselves on separate paths.
Kotian, the right-handed batsman and bowler, has earned a prestigious call-up to the India A squad for their upcoming tour of Australia. This exciting opportunity for Kotian means a split from his long-standing partnership with Mulani, the senior of the two, on the Mumbai team. While both players have been instrumental in Mumbai’s success, including two Ranji Trophy finals in the last three seasons, their contributions go beyond the mere numbers.
Mulani, acknowledging the weight of Kotian’s absence, shared his sentiments: “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,” he said after Mumbai secured a decisive nine-wicket victory against Maharashtra. However, he also admitted, “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.”
The win against Maharashtra serves as a crucial morale boost for Mumbai, especially after their disappointing loss to Baroda in the previous week. Mulani emphasized the importance of bouncing back: “We reflected pretty hard on the loss. We went through the video footage extensively. Some people took responsibility for the loss. It is very nice for our side when the seniors club in and the others raise hands and take responsibility. It feels nice with the way we bounced back on the first morning here that set the game up for us,” he stated.
While Mumbai faces a period of adjustment without Kotian, Mulani’s confidence in the team’s resilience and ability to adapt shines through. This shift in the team’s dynamic will be a test of their depth and adaptability, providing opportunities for new players to step up and prove their worth. As Kotian embarks on his journey with India A, Mumbai’s focus shifts to maintaining their winning momentum with a new partnership in the works.