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Tanush Kotian and N Jagadeesan were the heroes of the second day in the Duleep Trophy 2025 semi-finals. They reveal their mindsets so far and for what lies ahead.
Tanush Kotian of South Zone and Mumbai (Picture Credit: PTI)
The “crisis man” label fits Tanush Kotian perfectly, as he demonstrated his resilience with a crucial fifty to bolster West Zone against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinals. Kotian (76) added 148 runs for the sixth wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad and 84 for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur, pushing West past 400 runs.
Kotian enjoys the challenge of batting lower down the order. “Batting down the order, I take it as a challenge. There are so many good batsmen in the team that I have to go low down the order, so I try to contribute as much as I can, down the order, with the tailenders to give the bowlers a cushion to bowl,” he said after the second day’s play on Friday, as quoted by PTI
Previously, the Mumbai batter scored an unbeaten 90 for India A against the England Lions, securing a draw ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. How does he manage such situations so consistently?
“I’ve played for Mumbai for the last 3-4 years, so I have an idea of how to bat down the order and how to absorb the pressure. I know how to take chances, when to take chances to keep the game going. I don’t think about how many wickets have gone or anything like that. I have confidence in my game, so I focus on my game, analyse my game, and how can I play my shots and how can I get the team out of that pressure situation, that’s my game plan, and it can bog down the opposition,” he added.
Does he ever wish to bat higher up the order? “Sometimes I feel that I should go up, but the team is providing me with this situation, so I have to keep it up.”
Kotian, called up to the India squad after R Ashwin retired following the Brisbane Test against Australia last year, prefers not to think too far ahead. “In the last 6 months, I am trying to do what I have been doing, I am not thinking that I will play this match, I will play that match. The future is with the selectors, but I try to give my 100% whether it is batting or bowling. So it stays in my mind and if I have to take wickets, I will have to give my 100% and if I have to score, I will have to give my 100%,” he noted.
‘Very lucky to be there’: Jagadeesan on India call-up
Narayan Jagadeesan said his unexpected India call has not added any pressure or changed his approach to the game. Jagadeesan, who scored a fine 197 for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinals against North Zone, was called up to the India squad for the fifth Test against England after Rishabh Pant injured his toe in the fourth Test at Manchester.
“If I’m going to think about that, that’s just added pressure on me. I’m here to just enjoy the sport and make sure that I enjoy each and every match that I get to play. I need to be grateful for the opportunity that I’m getting here because there’re a billion people who want to play the Duleep Trophy, Ranji Trophy and, you know, be part of the Indian team. So, you know, it’s not just about your own performances, but it is also about how the team combination is and all the other stuff. So, there are a lot of X factors. So, it’s about staying in the present and not thinking about the future,” said Jagadeesan.
The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman focuses on staying positive about his selection to the India squad.
“It’s just about enjoying the sport till the day I play. When I got the Indian call-up…I think I need to just take the positives out of it in terms of being more confident. I was very lucky to be there. And I think I just have to, you know, take some confidence out of it and, you know, make sure that I can translate that while I go on to play,” he added.
(With agency inputs)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
September 05, 2025, 19:39 IST
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