Who is Anshul Kamboj, MI’s new 23-year-old fast bowling all-rounder talked up by R Ashwin?
23-year-old Anshul Kamboj made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad today (May 6). Here’s all you need to know about the fast bowling all-rounder from Haryana.
MI handed a debut cap to 23-year-old fast bowler Anshul Kamboj from Haryana ahead of their clash against SRH at the Wankhede Stadium. Kamboj replaced Gerald Coetzee in the XI as Mumbai started off with only two overseas players in their starting lineup.
Who is Anshul Kamboj?
Kamboj is a fast bowler from Haryana who also has some batting credentials. He has played 13 first-class games, 14 List A games, and nine T20s so far, having taken 24, 23, and 11 wickets respectively in those formats. While he hasn’t done much batting in the white-ball formats, in first-class cricket, Kamboj averages 18.93 with the bat with a high score of 46.
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Kamboj made his senior debut across all formats in the 2022-23 domestic season. Before that, he had been in and around the India U19 setup as well, having played two youth Test matches in 2019.
High praise from R Ashwin
Before the IPL 2024 auction, Ashwin hyped up Kamboj’s skills on his YouTube channel. In a video with analyst Prasanna Agoram, Ashwin had predicted that Kamboj will be a hot property at the auction and that he will receive multiple bids. “If he doesn’t get multiple bids, I will be very, very, very surprised,” Ashwin said.
While Kamboj didn’t get multiple bids, he did get the all important one from Mumbai Indians which saw him get picked for a base price of INR 20 lakh.
“Mark my words. This boy [has] got something,” Ashwin said describing the qualities Kamboj possesses. “Recently he played for Haryana. He’s been doing the rounds. He’s been in the scheme of things for U19 cricket. He has really worked on his fitness, bowling a heavy ball.
“If he bowls in the powerplay, he’s given roughly 15 runs in five overs or 18 runs in six overs. He’s very good at the death too. Bowls hard lengths with a simple action. His execution is mind boggling.”
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Kamboj had also been a part of the RCB camp last year as a net bowler, meaning this is not his first stint at the IPL.
He was given the second over of the innings by MI on debut, where he conceded 14 runs, which included a four off an inside edge and several plays and misses. He also touched the high 130s on the speed gun, showing a lot of promise. In his second over, he dismissed Travis Head off a no ball.
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