The call-up shows India’s fast bowling is wide in names but thin in experience. Prasidh Krishna’s hamstring injury handed Kamboj a first ODI cap in the third match against West Indies, with the series already sealed 2-0. The risk was low, but the question it raises is bigger. Behind Siraj and Prasidh, the reserves have barely played ODIs lately, and nobody has settled into a clear first-choice attack. The next ODIs in New Zealand will show whether that changes quickly.
How the Injury Opened the Door
Prasidh left the field in the second ODI in Guwahati after five overs and figures of 1/45. A BCCI release attributed his absence to a left hamstring injury. He was ruled out of the third ODI at New Chandigarh to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. That gap came at a sensitive moment for a pace group still searching for stability.
Kamboj was pulled from India A’s four-day game against Australia A in Puducherry, where he had taken 3/34 in 17.3 overs. India had already sealed the series 2-0, so the change carried little risk. A debut with nothing riding on it is the safest way to test a seamer. The experiment cost India little, and it gave Kamboj a taste of international cricket.
A Mixed Limited-Overs Record
Kamboj, 25, is a right-arm seamer from Haryana who took all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings against Kerala. He played one Test at Old Trafford in July 2025, taking 1/89. Taking all ten in an innings is a rare feat, and it explains why his name keeps surfacing. The Test outing was brief, though, and 1/89 gives little to judge him on.
His limited-overs record is mixed. He has more than 50 List A wickets at an average of roughly 22, and took 17 wickets at an economy of 3.59 in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the IPL he has 31 wickets in 25 matches, but at an economy of 10.01. The List A numbers are encouraging, while the IPL economy is a clear warning.
India’s Fast Bowling Pool Compared
Siraj and Prasidh are the proven pair, with 129 ODI wickets between them at economies near five and six. Siraj has played 50 ODIs and Prasidh 30, so even the leaders have limited experience. The latest-form column for Prasidh shows his last five ODIs.
Bowler | ODIs Played | Wickets | Economy | Latest Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mohammed Siraj | 50 | 76 | 5.13 | Last ODI before this series: 18 Jan 2026 |
Prasidh Krishna | 30 | 53 | 5.98 | 1/45, 2/60, 2/69, 1/52, 2/50 |
Arshdeep Singh* | 15 | 25 | Not published | Last ODI: 18 Jan 2026 |
Harshit Rana* | 14 | 26 | Not published | Last ODI: 18 Jan 2026 |
Anshul Kamboj | 1 | Debut | Debut | Debut: 3 Oct 2026 |
Arshdeep and Harshit Rana, marked with asterisks, are not in the current ODI squad and have not played an ODI since January. Between them, Arshdeep and Rana have 29 ODIs and 51 wickets, but no recent games to show form.
IND vs WI 2026 Anshul Kamboj Pace Depth
India’s third-ODI pace unit was Siraj, back after resting for the first two games, plus Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar. That is depth in names but not in experience. A pace group built around one debutant leaves little margin if another injury arrives.
Jasprit Bumrah returned to ODIs only in July 2026, and Mohammed Shami has had injury problems. Since the 2023 World Cup, selectors have rotated Arshdeep, Prasidh, Brar, Rana and Prince Yadav without a settled attack. That churn is the real measure of depth, because a deep group would not need to keep changing.
Planning for the 2027 World Cup
India’s next ODIs are five in New Zealand from 4 November, then three against Sri Lanka in December, which are the tests that matter before the 2027 World Cup. Those eight matches decide whether the pool settles, and a strong New Zealand series could separate the debutants from the rest.
Kamboj’s List A numbers justify another look, but his IPL economy of 10.01 shows the risk if he is asked to bowl at the death. A settled first-choice trio would answer more questions than another debutant. That is why, in IND vs WI 2026, Anshul Kamboj’s pace depth looks adequate on paper and unsettled in practice.
Should India give Kamboj a run in the New Zealand ODIs, or back a settled trio? Share your view in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who replaced Prasidh Krishna in India’s squad?
Anshul Kamboj, who was added from India A’s match in Puducherry. He made his ODI debut in the third ODI against West Indies at New Chandigarh on 3 October 2026.
How did Prasidh Krishna get injured?
He sustained a left hamstring injury in the second ODI in Guwahati. He had bowled five overs for figures of 1/45 before leaving the field, and was ruled out of the third ODI.
What are Anshul Kamboj’s bowling stats?
One Test wicket (1/89), plus 31 IPL wickets in 25 matches at an economy of 10.01. He also took 17 wickets at an economy of 3.59 in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Who are India’s fast bowlers in the ODI squad?
Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar. Kamboj was added as Prasidh’s replacement after the hamstring injury, giving the attack a debutant for the third ODI against West Indies.
Has Anshul Kamboj played an ODI for India?
Yes, he made his ODI debut in the third ODI against West Indies. The match was played on 3 October 2026, with the series already sealed 2-0 by India.