Rajasthan Royals' Baffling Decision to Open with Kotian Draws Criticism

Rajasthan Royals' Puzzling Decision to Open with Tanush Kotian Raises Eyebrows

In a surprising move that left cricket experts baffled, Rajasthan Royals sent off-spinning all-rounder Tanush Kotian to open the batting against Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter. The decision drew widespread criticism and raised questions about the team's strategy.

Former India batsman Robin Uthappa expressed his astonishment, stating, "I was dumbfounded when I saw Kotian walking out to open. What's the logic? Putting a kid who's playing his first IPL match in a situation he's never been in."

Echoing Uthappa's sentiments, former India pacer Zaheer Khan highlighted the risks involved, remarking, "They showed exactly what not to do in a run chase. They sent a No.10 batter to open the innings. He was playing his first game. This could have cost them two points."

Despite the initial skepticism, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson defended the move, explaining, "He came in as an all-rounder. He had a fabulous Ranji Trophy season and has been impressing everyone in the nets. We had a settled batting order, so we didn't want to unsettle it. Jos is almost ready for the next game, and we wanted to try him (Kotian) up the order."

However, Kotian's performance at the crease left much to be desired. He struggled to find momentum, playing the slowest knock by a batter facing more than 25 balls this season. His innings raised concerns about the team's decision-making and the lack of clarity in their batting strategy.

Fortunately for Rajasthan Royals, an explosive innings by Shimron Hetmyer rescued them from potential disaster, securing a narrow three-wicket victory. The win averted a potential crisis, but the decision to open with Kotian remains a puzzling one that has left cricket pundits scratching their heads.

Tags: #IPL2024, #RajasthanRoyals, #TanushKotian, #RobinUthappa, #ZaheerKhan