India’s injury-riddled pace department ahead of the crucial fourth Test against England has opened the door for a rising talent—Haryana’s Anshul Kamboj. The 24-year-old right-arm seamer has been drafted in as injury cover for Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, both of whom have been ruled out due to fitness concerns. As India trails 2-1 in the high-stakes Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Kamboj’s addition could be more than just a stop-gap—it might be a potential game-changer.
Akash Deep’s groin strain and Arshdeep’s hand injury have left India thin in the fast-bowling department, especially with Nitish Reddy also unavailable for the remainder of the tour. While Jasprit Bumrah’s return offers a massive boost, the third seamer’s slot remains a key talking point. Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna are in the mix, and veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Kamboj has what it takes to thrive on the big stage.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared the dressing room with Kamboj at Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2025, didn’t hold back in his praise. “If you’re pairing Anshul Kamboj with Bumrah and Siraj, that’s a serious bowling unit,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. “People might point out that he’s uncapped, but the guy is in sensational form. His performances in first-class cricket and for India A have been nothing short of stellar.”
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Kamboj’s domestic numbers back Ashwin’s confidence. He has claimed 79 wickets in 24 First-Class matches at an impressive average of 22.88, including two five-wicket hauls and a historic 10-wicket haul in an innings during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy—a feat achieved by only two others in the tournament’s long history.
Ashwin went a step further, likening Kamboj to India’s pace legends. “What stands out about Anshul is his clarity of thought. Many bowlers, even after playing 30–40 Tests, don’t fully grasp the tactical side of the game. But Anshul does. He knows the plan and executes it—something Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah have mastered.”
“He’s sharp, he listens, he adjusts quickly. That’s rare in young quicks. He’s not just running in and bowling fast—he’s thinking two steps ahead.”
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Kamboj’s recent form further strengthens his case. In the two unofficial Tests against the England Lions, he not only contributed with the ball—taking five wickets across both games—but also showed composure with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 51 in the second match.
With India needing a win to stay alive in the series, the fourth Test at Old Trafford might just mark the arrival of a promising new name in Indian cricket. And if Ashwin’s words are any indication, Anshul Kamboj isn’t just a temporary replacement—he could be the future.
