How Anshul Kamboj Beat 317 Cricketers to His India Cap! in Crucial England vs India 4th Test at Old Trafford
Anshul Kamboj is expected to earn his first Indian cap in the upcoming fourth Test against England, commencing on Wednesday (July 23) at Old Trafford Cricket Stadium in Manchester, which is critical for the Shubman Gill-led team as they trail 2-1 in the five-match series.
Kamboj was not initially included in the squad but was called up to England after Arshdeep Singh sustained an injury in training and was unavailable for the fourth Test. Additionally, Akash Deep, who played a pivotal role in India’s win at Edgbaston with a 10-wicket haul, is also uncertain for the match in Manchester.
Given the injury woes in the fast bowling lineup, Kamboj appears set for his debut in Manchester as he competes with Prasidh Krishna for the third pacer’s position alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Krishna’s lackluster performances in the first two Tests could lead the management to offer Kamboj his debut cap. Should this occur, the right-arm pacer would become the 318th Test cap for India.
Who Is Anshul Kamboj?
Anshul Kamboj, a 24-year-old bowler, has showcased his talent in various formats over the past year and climbed the ladder of Indian cricket. It was in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) that he debuted for the Mumbai Indians (MI) after being bought for Rs. 20 Lakhs at the bidding.
He captured global attention during the Duleep Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets in three matches at an average of 17.12. His bowling performance of 8/69 for India C against India B in Anantapur ranked fifth all-time in the tournament’s history (second best by a fast bowler).
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Subsequently, he surpassed that achievement in the Ranji Trophy with a 10-wicket haul for Haryana against Kerala in Lahli. He became the third player ever in the history of India’s top first-class tournament to achieve 10 wickets in a single innings.
Anshul Kamboj Career and Stats
Anshul Kamboj received a call-up to the Indian-A team for the tour of England last month and made a strong impression by taking five wickets in two matches against the England Lions. In total, he has participated in 24 first-class matches, claiming 79 wickets with an average of 22.8.
The 24-year-old is also a capable batsman, having scored a half-century in the second unofficial Test against the Lions. During the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, Kamboj was acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for an impressive 3.2 crore after a competitive bidding process with his previous team, MI.
This opportunity enabled the fast bowler to play under MS Dhoni following his return as captain mid-season. Kamboj appeared in eight matches for CSK and claimed eight wickets while maintaining an economy of 8.00.
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Dhoni praised him throughout the season and disclosed that he excelled by being faster than he appeared.
“Anshul Kamboj is not a swing bowler, but he does generate some seam movement; the ball feels quicker than the speed gun indicates. He has embraced his role and is capable of delivering quality yorkers,” Dhoni mentioned in a post-match interview.
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