- July 21, 2025
Team India couldn’t be under more pressure as they head to Manchester for the fourth Test against England. Down 1-2 in the series and the injury list is growing fast, the visitors need something out of the ordinary — a wildcard — and that is Anshul Kamboj, the 24-year-old Haryana paceman who has just been called up to the squad. He is uncapped, not really known, but plentiful in promise. Kamboj may just be the surprise package the team needs to turn around and level the series.
Injury Woes: Time to Unleash Fresh Pace
To be frank, India’s cupboard is bare as far as bowling is concerned. Arshdeep Singh’s dreadful cut to his bowling hand probably takes him out of the selection picture, and Akash Deep has persistent issues with his back, which has flared up again in the Lord’s Test. Outside of Bumrah and Siraj, India does not have too many options for pace.
This is exactly why Anshul Kamboj is not just a luxury – he is an absolute necessity. The Haryana paceman has raw pace, youthful enthusiasm, and, most importantly, a fit body. Kamboj does not have a profile in world cricket right now, and he is healthy, hungry, and desperate to impact the game. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna have looked half-baked so far, but Kamboj has an X factor – he does not have a footprint on the England batters.
Red-Hot Domestic and A-Team Form
Kamboj has not just been a net bowler, waiting for his chance; he has gone about earning a spot in the hardest way possible. His 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season is one of the seasons of a lifetime: 34 victims in six matches, averaging under 14. And then there is his remarkable 10-wicket haul in one innings against Kerala. That is the kind of accomplishment one might deem rare.
However, his ability is not confined to just domestic cricket. Before this series, Kamboj was tested in England-like conditions during the India A tour versus the England Lions, and picked up 5 wickets in 3 innings. He can use and handle the Duke’s ball and the associated swing. If the selectors wanted certainty that his domestic success was no coincidence, Kamboj’s performances in A-team cricket have provided that in spades.
Built for English Conditions
Not every Indian pacer is cut out for English conditions, but Kamboj might just be tailor-made for them. Standing at 6’2″, he naturally hits the deck hard and extracts awkward bounce — a quality that England’s batters hate, especially on pitches like Manchester that offer variable movement.
What makes him even more priceless is his ability to swing the ball both ways and maintain tight lines. This isn’t just about launching the ball fast – this involves control, discipline, while profiting from overhead conditions. The weather forecast for Manchester suggests clouds and showers, which means conditions will push the ball a bit if bowled in the right channels. Kamboj’s bowling style is perfectly suited to this style of bowling as well. Also, the novelty factor is genuine.
With India facing the inevitable in this series, it seems that safe is no longer an option. Anshul Kamboj has something to offer at the right time. He is coming into the series with good form, skills, and an understanding of the conditions. Will the team management make the bold decision or remain stubborn with the same old (while struggling) names?
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