Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes that the uncapped Anshul Kamboj belongs to the rare breed of fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah who are not only skillful but have an understanding of plans that goes beyond just trying to “express themselves and enjoy the game” ” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’..
Kamboj was drafted into the scheme of things within the last four days after the tall pacer had returned home last month following the India A tour to the UK. Kamboj sustained a sheen injury and it was Harshit Rana who had stayed back as a cover for Akash Deep, who has been deemed unfit to be a part of the Manchester Test by skipper Shubman Gill on match eve. With left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh also out injured, it will be a toss-up between Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna, with the former the firm favourite to earn the nod. “In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety. I’m not comparing skills because skills are a very different thing,” he added.
The 24-year-old impressed in the lead-up to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, performing consistently for India A against the England Lions. Across four innings at Northampton and Canterbury, he picked up five wickets, showcasing late movement and bounce.
Ashwin feels Kamboj, who has been in “cracking form” will serve as the perfect foil to Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the fourth Test and make a “Serious bowling attack”.
“If you are going to bring Anshul Kamboj into the XI, I am telling you this is a serious bowling attack.” He highlighted Kamboj’s domestic exploits, which included a 10-wicket haul in an innings against Kerala last year in a Ranji Trophy match at Lahli.
But the most interesting part of the entire conversation was when Ashwin compared the newest Test call-up Kamboj to two legends of Indian cricket – Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. Why?
“The most appreciable thing about Anshul Kamboj is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many bowlers who, even after playing 30–40 Test matches, still don’t understand the plan. If you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game,” he said.
“I have seen that. It’s not a trait a lot of fast bowlers have. Zaheer Khan was one of them—he was amazing. Jassi is another one. He understands the plan, makes plans, and executes them to perfection. Anshul Kamboj belongs to that variety.”