Who Are Tanush Kotian, Harsh Dubey and Vipraj Nigam? Meet India’s Net Bowlers for Sri Lanka Tests

India’s preparations for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka will include three of the country’s brightest spin-bowling all-rounders.

Tanush Kotian, Harsh Dubey and Vipraj Nigam have been picked as net bowlers for the tour, giving the trio another opportunity to impress the national selectors despite not being part of the main squad.

Here’s a closer look at the three rising stars.

Tanush Kotian: Mumbai’s dependable all-rounder

Among the three, Tanush Kotian is the most experienced in the domestic circuit.

The Mumbai all-rounder has built a reputation as one of India’s finest red-ball performers, contributing consistently with both bat and ball over the past few seasons.

A right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner, Kotian has often delivered under pressure for Mumbai and played a key role in several title-winning campaigns.

He also starred for India A and West Zone in domestic tournaments, while his century in the Irani Cup remains one of the standout performances of his career.

Kotian has previously spent time with the Indian team and continues to remain firmly on the selectors’ radar.

Tanush Kotian at a glance

• Age: 27
• Batting: Right-hand batter
• Bowling: Right-arm off-spin
• First-class record: Over 2,100 runs and 131 wickets
• IPL team: Rajasthan Royals

Harsh Dubey: Vidarbha’s wicket-taking machine

Few domestic players have risen as quickly as Harsh Dubey.

The left-arm spinning all-rounder enjoyed a sensational Ranji Trophy campaign, finishing among the leading wicket-takers while making valuable contributions with the bat lower down the order.

Dubey’s ability to control the game through long spells has made him one of India’s most exciting young red-ball prospects.

His impressive performances also earned him opportunities with India A and further strengthened his credentials for future national selection.

Harsh Dubey at a glance

• Age: 24
• Batting: Left-hand batter
• Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox
• First-class wickets: 136 in 28 matches
• IPL team: Sunrisers Hyderabad

Vipraj Nigam: The exciting young leg-spinner

Vipraj Nigam is regarded as one of the most exciting all-round prospects in Indian cricket.

The leg-spinner first caught widespread attention through his fearless performances in the IPL before carrying that form into India A duties during the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

His ability to spin the ball both ways, coupled with useful lower-order batting, has made him a player to watch for the future.

The Sri Lanka assignment marks another significant milestone in his rapid development.

Vipraj Nigam at a glance

• Youngest among the three net bowlers
• Leg-spin bowling all-rounder
• Impressed during India A’s Sri Lanka tour
• Broke through with strong IPL performances

Why net bowler roles matter

While Kotian, Dubey and Nigam are unlikely to feature in the playing XI unless injuries force changes, travelling with the senior side is considered an important step in India’s player development pathway.

The experience allows emerging players to train alongside established internationals, work closely with the coaching staff and adapt to the demands of Test cricket before eventually receiving a full India call-up.

For all three, the Sri Lanka tour is another sign that they remain firmly in the selectors’ long-term plans.