Anshul Kamboj: India’s Uncapped Weapon for the Manchester Test?
India is under severe pressure as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series moves into the fourth Test at Manchester. India is down by some points because test pacers like Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are nursing injuries. The very basis for current Indian selection weights on an abyss of doubt, leaving this deeply torn side gasping for relief.
However, when India’s fast bowlers found themselves stretched to their limits, they found in Anshul Kamboj. Uncapped and with just 24 years tucked behind him, he is being vouched for by no less than Ravichandran Ashwin in the final XI. If Ashwin’s judgment is anything to go by, this might turn out to be a matchwinner.
Right from up-to-date updates about the series to detailed analysis from experts to Mobile InPlay predictions, we have every reason to have our eyes stuck on what unfolds here.
Anshul Kamboj—who exactly is he?
Not exactly a household name yet, Kamboj has begun making headlines thanks to his exploits in domestic cricket. The Haryana seamer etched his name in the cricketing annals with a fantastic performance in the Ranji Trophy as only the third Indian bowler to take all ten wickets in an innings. This one record has almost put the spotlight on Kamboj.
From six matches, he took away with him 34 wickets at a stupendous average of 13.79 last season. He then had a commendable Duleep Trophy season in which he bowled out 16 batsmen in three games. Perhaps more than the statistics, what counts is that he has been consistent, controlled, and unflinching in his hunger for success.
Having been with Kamboj in the CSK dressing room, Ashwin knows him well and has firsthand experience regarding Kamboj’s ability. In one of his sessions on Ash Ki Baat on his YouTube channel, Ashwin went on record stating, “Of course, it’s gotta be another option for us in terms of serious, serious bowling,” attributing Kamboj to have a solid cricketing brain.
The door is widening due to various injuries
India’s hand has dealt a significant blow with the pace bowlers’ injuries. Akash Deep, having a groin strain, and Arshdeep Singh being handed a blow on the hand have led the management to bring Anshul Kamboj as the backup bowler, which could now be more than could be construed as a mere safety measure or the harbinger of a debut chance.
Seeing how Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah have been the bowling figures, the question looms now for the third seamer for this Test.
Even though Prasidh Krishna is included, Ashwin is more than just impressed with Kamboj’s current form and balance of the same skill set under English conditions, which favor swing and seam movement.
Kamboj’s Qualities
From a technical perspective, Kamboj has all that might make him ideal for conditions in England:
- A mean wrist position
- Seam movement, which is naturally bowled
- The ability to bowl those long, probing spells
His impeccable line and length when placed in the pressure cooker
All these attributes were evidently displayed during an unofficial Test versus England Lions earlier this year. In one such match, he managed to record remarkable figures of 4 for 62, with nuisance accuracy and width causing the batsmen untold trouble.
Ashwin does mention how Kamboj “understands the bowling plan,” a rare thing for anyone uncapped at the professional level. This might place Kamboj with his cricket-centered thoughts into the league of India’s best fast bowlers.
Lineup for the Fourth Test
India’s specialist squad for the Manchester Test is as follows:
Batters: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Abhimanyu Easwaran,
Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep (injured), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj
Allrounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar
Spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav
Wicketkeepers: Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (VC)
Based on the injuries, Kamboj would most likely have a debut, aligning him to form a dangerous pace trio with Bumrah and Siraj.
Will Kamboj Be in the Final XI?
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What to watch for
If entered, he is most likely to bowl short, stingy spells early and come back for a longer, exhausting phase when the ball begins to swing even more, wider, and swifter. Keep an eye out for the match toss and pitch report. A green surface tips the scales in favor of Kamboj’s unexpected debut.
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Finishing up
The inclusion of Anshul Kamboj in Team India’s playing XI adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing and completed fourth Test match. The latest stats have provided corroboration for his inclusion; so has form. Ashwin has joined the Anshul Ulana—sitting on a razor’s edge—deep ingrained in all.
Will India be bold enough to debut him on handed-down history? Could Kamboj come to the forefront and strike in the midst of the match, thus changing the play back into the Indian fold?
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FAQs
Q1. Who is Anshul Kamboj?
A1. A fast bowler from Haryana, he is 24 years of age. Anshul Kamboj came into the limelight for grabbing 10 wickets in an innings of the Ranji Trophy.
Q2. Why does Ashwin support Anshul Kamboj?
A2. Ashwin believes Kamboj, with his present form, wrist position, and cricketing intelligence, serves perfectly in English conditions as a potential third pacer behind Bumrah and Siraj.
Q3. What is Starexchange?
A3. Starexchange is one such online gaming platform allowing users to make Mobile InPlay predictions while the events are going on live and pave the way to real cash prizes.
Q4. How can I bet in Starexchange?
A: Just sign up on the website or the app, choose-your-match, and predict your way through reality-standing real-time live data.