Anshul Kamboj’s journey to Indian Test cricket came full circle on Wednesday when he was handed his debut cap in Manchester, becoming the 318th player to represent India in the longest format. With India grappling with injury setbacks ahead of the crucial fourth Test against England, Kamboj was drafted into the playing XI to strengthen the pace unit alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
With Nitish Reddy, Akash Deep, and another bowling option ruled out, the team turned to the 24-year-old Haryana pacer in a must-win situation. Anshul Kamboj’s selection may have surprised some, but those who have followed his domestic exploits knew this moment was inevitable. He grabbed headlines last Ranji season with an unforgettable 10-wicket haul (10/49) against Kerala—becoming just the third player in Ranji Trophy history to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
That extraordinary feat, coupled with a consistent showing in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy where he claimed 17 wickets in 10 matches, helped Haryana lift the title and earned him an IPL contract with the Mumbai Indians. Interestingly, cricket wasn’t his childhood passion. In fact, his introduction to the sport was driven more by health concerns.
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As a chubby kid, Anshul’s father, Udham Singh, enrolled him in a cricket academy simply to help him lose weight. “I never thought he would play for India,” Singh told the Times of India. “I just wanted him to get fit. But the moment he picked up the ball, he found his calling—and never looked back.”
The men who moulded India’s latest Test debutant Anshul Kamboj — Satish Rana and Amarjit Kaypee — take you through the pacer’s journey from Karnal to the Indian team.
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Anushal Kamboj was part of the India A squad earlier this year for the England Lions series. Although he didn’t make the final cut for the senior team at the time, his discipline stood out. His coach, Satish Rana, recalled how Anshul returned from the India A camp unfazed by the snub. “The very next morning, he was back at the academy, bowling to a single stump with Duke’s balls,” Rana said.
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When asked how he felt, Anshul’s response was humble and hopeful: “Sir, I am hopeful.” His unwavering determination, quiet optimism, and relentless work ethic finally paid off.
Now, as Kamboj makes his first strides in international cricket, his story serves as a powerful reminder: sometimes, a journey that begins with weight loss can lead to wearing the Indian jersey—if backed by grit, passion, and persistence.
