By Rohit - Jul 23, 2025 01:21 PM
As India prepares for the crucial 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, one name that has caught everyone's attention is Anshul Kamboj. At just 24, the Haryana-born allrounder has suddenly found himself on the biggest stage of his career. But who is Anshul Kamboj, and why has he been selected ahead of other seasoned pacers in this vital encounter? Let’s dive deep into his journey, age, career milestones, and what makes him the latest Indian pace sensation.
Anshul Kamboj was born on December 6, 2000, in Karnal, Haryana. A natural athlete with a strong cricketing instinct, Kamboj quickly rose through the ranks in age-group cricket in Haryana. As of today, he is 24 years and 229 days old and represents the new breed of Indian fast bowlers who bring both discipline and aggression to the game.
| Cricketing Profile | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anshul Kamboj |
| Age | 24 years |
| Born | December 6, 2000, Karnal, Haryana |
| Batting Style | Right-hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Medium |
| Playing Role | Allrounder |
| Teams Represented |
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Kamboj’s breakthrough came during his impressive performances for India A and the Mumbai Indians. Known for his control, seam movement, and ability to bowl long spells, he has also shown promise with the bat, registering crucial lower-order runs in domestic matches.
His domestic record speaks volumes about his consistency and talent:
Kamboj also impressed in the India A tour to England, picking up five wickets in two matches, and scoring a vital half-century against England Lions, showing that he is more than just a bowler.
Kamboj’s selection for the 4th Test at Old Trafford has been termed a “surprise move.” But it’s one rooted in necessity and potential.
With Arshdeep Singh ruled out and Akash Deep struggling with fitness, India found itself in dire need of a dependable backup pacer. Nitish Kumar Reddy was also ruled out, creating a vacuum in the Indian pace battery. Kamboj, who had recently returned from the UK after recovering from a shin injury, was flown to Manchester as emergency reinforcement.
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The decision to include Kamboj wasn’t just a knee-jerk reaction to injuries. Cricketing legend Ravichandran Ashwin, who has shared the dressing room with Kamboj at CSK, vouched for him publicly:
“If you bring Anshul Kamboj in, that’s a serious bowling attack. He understands plans and executes them well. Very few bowlers have that quality,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
This praise places Kamboj in elite company, with Ashwin even likening his game awareness to that of Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah.
Prasidh Krishna, who played the first two Tests, struggled to make an impact, conceding runs at over 5 per over and picking up just six wickets at a high average of 55.16. Given this inconsistency, the selectors are seriously considering handing Kamboj a debut Test cap, potentially making him India’s 318th Test cricketer.
Image: Anshul Kamboj in CSK Jersey
Kamboj first gained national attention during IPL 2024 while playing for Mumbai Indians, delivering a standout performance in the Duleep Trophy (16 wickets in 3 matches). One of his most iconic feats was an 8/69 spell and later becoming only the third player to take all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings.
His rapid rise led to a bidding war in the IPL 2025 auction, eventually landing a ₹3.2 crore deal with the Chennai Super Kings. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, Kamboj featured in eight matches, collecting eight wickets and maintaining an economy rate of 8.00.
No praise carries more weight in Indian cricket than that of MS Dhoni. During IPL 2025, Dhoni commended Kamboj for his ability to generate seam movement and deceptive pace. He noted:
“He doesn’t get much swing, but his seam movement is dangerous. The ball hits harder than what the speed gun shows. He’s someone who can bowl good yorkers too.”
In the 2024-25 season, Kamboj has been in red-hot form:
He was initially part of India A’s tour to England, where he picked up wickets and played a crucial innings with the bat before returning home due to injury. His return has proven timely, as Team India now looks to him to bolster their depleted pace attack.
If selected, Kamboj will likely serve as a third seamer, complementing Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. His ability to bowl long spells, maintain discipline, and generate movement off the seam could prove crucial on a surface that typically assists fast bowlers early on.
More importantly, his understanding of bowling plans, as highlighted by Ashwin, gives him a mental edge, a quality that often separates promising bowlers from consistent performers.
So, who is Anshul Kamboj? He is not just another fast bowler in India's rich pace arsenal; he is a well-rounded allrounder who combines skill with cricketing intelligence. At 24, he’s already earned the respect of legends like Dhoni and Ashwin, dominated the domestic circuit, and now stands on the verge of a potential Test debut.
His journey reflects the future of Indian cricket: confident, fearless, and thoroughly prepared. If he does play at Old Trafford, expect him to make the most of this opportunity.
India (IND) Possible Playing XI: 1. Lokesh Rahul, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Karun Nair/Sai Sudharsan, 4. Shubman Gill(C), 5. Rishabh Pant(WK), 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Anshul Kamboj, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Mohammed Siraj
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