Mumbai may or may not reach the quarter-finals of the Ranji Trophy this season.
Perhaps years later a look at the scoreboard of the last group stage match between Mumbai and Maharashtra would show that Kotian was bowled out by Vicky Ostwal for 93, but Kotian scored those precious runs. The situation is probably just one of his in his footnotes.
But his 100 or so spectators at his stadium on Thursday saw the young cricketer batting for hours despite suffering an injury that required his six stitches in the palm of his right hand. I witnessed
In the first round, Kotian tried to recall his Jadav to Kedar, but the ball hit him in his hand and the 24-year-old was sidelined for almost his two days.
But on the third morning, when Mumbai struggled to chase Maharashtra in the first innings of 384 overall, Kotian came to bat and popped painkillers. He struck boldly without mentioning his pain. Rather, he started aggressively on the border and six.
As the days went by, Kotian seemed stronger and more determined.
He first formed a partnership with Centurion Prasad his Pawar and upon his release took responsibility for getting Mumbai to level Maharashtra’s first innings total. “At first, it was difficult to hit with this stitch. But it’s okay, I did it,” Kotian said after the game that day.
When Kotian went out to beat Pawar asked him if he needed help. But the spinner all-rounder knew he would endure the pain for the sake of his team. (I don’t think too much and play to the best of my ability),” Kotian said of his conversation with Pawar. “I wanted to play my shot even though I was in pain.
As the day wore on, Kotian felt better and at lunch the team doctor gave him medication to help him continue with the next session. “At first, I was thinking of injecting myself before I hit the plate, but I changed my mind because I mainly play poorly, so injections can numb that area. The idea was to look at their feelings and make a phone call accordingly.
Spending some time in the crease, he seemed comfortable. “Before, I played in Mumbai in such a crucial situation and I thought I could turn things around. I was thinking about staying in the crease, so once I got used to it I didn’t even think about the pain”.
Kotian is disappointed Mumbai have failed to take the much-needed first-time lead, but believes a strong final morning session could give the home side a shot at the overall title.
It was his sixth top flight in half a century, and in the past Kourtian has ignored injuries to qualify for Mumbai. Raised in a cricket family – his father was a former local cricketer – Tanush knows that a player’s career can come with such challenges and he shrugs off disappointments and shows the best of himself. This is very important.