The recent squad selections for the Indian cricket team have sparked intense discussions among fans and pundits alike. Two years ago, ahead of Anshul Kamboj making his debut during the tour of England, there was immense hype surrounding the young pacer, with many dubbing him the future of the bowling attack. However, that outing in the drawn fourth Test in Manchester proved underwhelming. He bowled 18 overs, conceded 89 runs at an economy rate of 4.94, and managed just a single wicket. Unsurprisingly, he did not get another look-in for a long time as the selectors shifted focus to other emerging fast bowlers. Yet, the Haryana paceman has now made a sudden return to the national setup. Within a span of 15 days, he was handed his maiden ODI cap and has now retained his spot in the squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand.
The inclusion has not gone without controversy, as a section of observers argued that Aaqib Nabi deserved the nod ahead of Anshul Kamboj, while others touted Mukesh Kumar as a superior alternative. To understand why the selection panel's decision is far from a mistake, one must look closely at the underlying factors. Here are three compelling reasons why backing Anshul Kamboj is a well-founded move for the team.
Consistent dominance in domestic cricket
The 26-year-old Anshul Kamboj has been delivering stellar performances in domestic circuits on a consistent basis. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he played a pivotal role in helping Haryana secure a six-point victory against Himachal Pradesh by picking up a total of six wickets across the two innings. He registered figures of 4/56 in the first innings and followed it up with 2/18 in the second. His wicket-taking form in first-class cricket has been steady throughout the season. Against Australia A in Puducherry, he claimed three wickets in the opening match and added three more across both innings of the second fixture. Although his ODI debut against the West Indies on October 3 did not go according to plan—where he scored 17 runs but went wicketless while conceding 82 runs—his red-ball credentials remained strong.
Peak form and historic milestones
The defining turning point in his career arrived during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign, where he scalped an astounding 34 wickets across six matches. In doing so, Kamboj etched his name in tournament history by becoming only the third bowler to take all 10 wickets in a single innings, a feat he achieved against Kerala. He carried that momentum into the 2024 Duleep Trophy, capturing 16 wickets in three matches to earn the prestigious 'Player of the Tournament' award. These remarkable exploits cemented his reputation as a relentlessly consistent wicket-taker in traditional red-ball cricket.
Ideal fit for the playing conditions in New Zealand
The upcoming series takes place in New Zealand, where the pitches traditionally offer ample assistance and movement for seam bowlers. Anshul Kamboj's bowling style makes him an ideal tactical fit for these conditions, even though he will need to adapt quickly to the demands of international competition. This tour provides him with the perfect platform to demonstrate how much he has evolved since his early debut and prove that he belongs at the highest level alongside his peers.
