Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Tanush Kotian shows the way as Mumbai top-order fails in quarter-final at Eden

Bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian smashed a fighting knock for Mumbai in their quarter-final tie against Haryana in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25.

Kotian partnered with Mumbai's lower-order in the first innings to counterattack after their star-studded top-order featuring the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav failed miserably. Having lost seven wickets for the score of 114 on Day 1, Mumbai had to depend heavily on the partnership between all-rounder duo of Shams Mulani and Kotian.

Mulani batted brilliantly in the middle to amass ten boundaries in his 91-run knock, where he eventually felt just short of his hundred. The duo added 165 runs to put the 42-time champions in a better position, and the play on the opening day was called with Kotian remaining unbeaten on 85 alongside Mohit Avasthi, who had played ten balls by Stumps.

By the resumption of the second day, opposition pacers had spread out a field set-up full of boundary riders, luring Kotian to hit a few. However, the youngster kept his calm and didn't take unnecessary runs to not only reach his own milestone, but to help the team maximize their total in the first innings. Unfortunately, Kotian felt short by just 3 runs, getting castled by a ripper from Sumit Kumar.

Mumbai finish first innings with 315

Courtesy of his knock, the defending champions reached a total of 315 after being in shambles at one stage of the game. Kotian was also the highest scorer for the team, scoring roughly one-third of Mumbai's first innings total. Despite not being able to reach his third hundred in First Class cricket, his knock may well be a defining moment in their journey to defend the title.

Speaking of Haryana's bowlers, both Anshul Kamboj and Sumit Kumar took three wickets each, while rest of the four bowlers - Jayant Yadav, Anuj Thakral, AK Chahal, and Nishant Sindhu shared rest of the four wickets equally. The onus will now be on Haryana batters, while Mumbai will look to gain a lead in the ongoing game at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.