Ahead of Anshul Kamboj’s probable Test debut on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Manchester, former India off-spinner R Ashwin raved about the Haryana pacer’s exceptional skill-set which makes a quality addition to India’s seam bowling attack.
Kamboj was drafted into the scheme of things within the last four days after the tall pacer had returned home last month following the India A tour to the UK. Kamboj sustained a sheen injury and it was Harshit Rana who had stayed back as a cover for Akash Deep, who has been deemed unfit to be a part of the Manchester Test by skipper Shubman Gill on match eve. With left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh also out injured, it will be a toss-up between Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna, with the former the firm favourite to earn the nod.
Ashwin decoded the nous and ability of his Chennai Super Kings teammate that will boost India’s pace attack if he teams up with senior speedsters Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
‘Like Zaheer, Bumrah’
“This England team, man to man, will not match India skills-wise. Looking at how Siraj and Bumrah bowled, if you bring Anshul Kamboj in, I’m telling you that is a serious bowling attack. People will tell he hasn’t played but he was there on the A tour. He’s been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He is used to bowling long spells and you need that in England. He will be a really good foil for Siraj and Bumrah. Prasidh is also an option but I would rather go with Anshul,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Since the 2024-25 season, Kamboj has racked up a whopping 55 wickets in only 11 matches, including a rare 10-wicket haul in a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala back home in Lahli. Ashwin added that Kamboj understands the requirements of the team, making him a valuable asset, unlike most young bowlers.
“An enjoyable and appreciable thing about Anshul Kamboj is that he understands the plan. Many bowlers with 30-40 Tests and beyond also do not understand plans. They will just say I will express myself, enjoy my game, I am here to let loose and all. One is understanding a plan, the other is to execute your plan that way. Many bowlers do not have this strength.
“But Anshul understands plans and also knows how to execute in the middle. It’s not a trait many fast bowlers possess. Zaheer Khan was one of them. He was amazing. In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety. I’m not comparing skills because skills are a very different thing,” Ashwin added.
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“He has a very good tappa (right length). I have seen that in the IPL. His wrist position is very good, and he delivers a very upright seam. He never leaves his tappa,” Ashwin said.
The Indian Express had reported that Kamboj is indeed likely to pip Krishna to make the cut on Wednesday, with Shardul Thakur likely to be roped in as the fourth pacer as India aim to square the series 2-2.
