There’s something truly special about watching a player receive their Test cap. It’s the culmination of a dream, a journey of countless hours of hard work. For 24-year-old Anshul Kamboj, that moment arrived at Old Trafford in Manchester, as he became India’s 318th Test cricketer in a high-stakes match against England. Hailing from Karnal, this young pacer's path to the big stage has been anything but straightforward, marked by setbacks, resilience, and a whole lot of heart.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Anshul Kamboj became India's 318th Test cricketer in the 4th Test against England in Manchester.
- ✓ R. Ashwin compared his cricketing intelligence to legends like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah.
- ✓ He almost quit cricket after an injury cost him a spot in the 2020 U-19 World Cup.
- ✓ Kamboj was a late injury replacement, called into the squad after the Lord's Test.
- ✓ He's one of only three bowlers in Ranji Trophy history to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
Ashwin's Ultimate Seal of Approval
When a modern-day legend like Ravichandran Ashwin speaks, you listen. And when he heaps praise on a young talent, it carries immense weight. Ashwin, who shared a dressing room with Kamboj at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the 2025 IPL season, saw something special in the young pacer from up close. He didn't just offer a casual compliment; he drew parallels to some of India’s all-time greats.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin was incredibly bullish about Kamboj's potential inclusion. He argued that adding Kamboj to an attack with Siraj and Bumrah would create a "serious bowling attack," even favoring him over the more established Prasidh Krishna. He pointed out Kamboj's first-class form and his stamina for bowling long spells, something absolutely crucial in English conditions.
Here's the thing, Ashwin was very clear he wasn't comparing raw skills. He was highlighting something far rarer: cricketing intelligence. The ability to not just have a plan, but to understand it deeply and, most importantly, execute it under pressure. That's a quality that separates the good from the great, and for a debutant to already have that reputation is simply remarkable.
A Whirlwind Call-Up to Manchester
Kamboj’s journey to his Test debut wasn't a slow, predictable climb. It was a rapid ascent born out of necessity and opportunity. He wasn't even part of the original squad for the tour. An injury crisis in the Indian camp, which saw Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh sidelined, opened the door for a replacement. After a strong showing on the India A tour of England, where he picked up five wickets in two games, Kamboj got the nod.
He touched down in the UK on a Sunday and, without missing a beat, hit the nets. It's there that he reportedly impressed the team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir. His readiness and form were enough to earn him a spot in the playing XI for the crucial fourth Test, a do-or-die game for India, who were trailing the series 1-2. Captain Shubman Gill announced three changes at the toss, with Kamboj's debut being the headline news.
What's fascinating is that even after his successful India A tour, he was initially overlooked for an injury cover spot, with Harshit Rana getting the call instead. But Kamboj didn't let that setback affect him. He simply went back home to Karnal and got back to work, a testament to his unwavering focus and self-belief.
The Journey of Resilience
This debut is even more special when you consider the hurdles Kamboj has overcome. This isn't just a story about a talented cricketer; it's a story of pure resilience. There was a point when he almost walked away from the sport entirely. A bad injury just before the 2020 U-19 World Cup shattered his dream of playing in the tournament, a massive stepping stone for any young player.
His coach, Satish Rana, recalled how "demoralised" and "really upset" Kamboj was. Missing out on that platform could have ended many careers, but he carried on. Add to that the personal challenges he's faced, with his father, Udham Singh, enduring episodes of epilepsy over the last decade. To stay focused on cricket through all that shows incredible mental fortitude.
The Domestic Grind That Paid Off
Long before he landed in Manchester, Kamboj was making waves in the Indian domestic circuit. He became a household name last year by achieving one of cricket's rarest feats. While playing for Haryana against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, he took all 10 wickets in an innings, finishing with staggering figures of 10/49 in 30.1 overs. He became only the third bowler in the trophy's long history to do so.
His coach rightfully pointed out, "Taking 10 wickets is a brilliant thing in itself. Only those who are fortunate get a chance to take ten wickets. It takes a lot of hard work." This wasn't a flash in the pan. He also impressed in the IPL for CSK, where his knack for taking wickets in the powerplay caught the attention of legends like MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. This foundation of domestic success is what made his late call-up possible.
Even after being overlooked post the A tour, his response was to double down on his training. His coach mentioned how he brought Dukes balls back from the UK to continue practicing. They focused on hard work and, as his coach put it, "left the decision in God's hands and the selectors." Just hours before his debut, in a touching moment, Kamboj rang up his coach for some final words of advice, a sign of the humility and dedication that got him here.
Conclusion
Anshul Kamboj's debut for India is more than just a new name on the team sheet. It's a powerful story of a player who refused to give up, who faced disappointment and personal hardship with unwavering resolve. To earn such high praise from a peer like R. Ashwin before even bowling a ball in Test cricket speaks volumes about his character and his cricketing brain.
From the grounds of Karnal to the historic turf of Old Trafford, his journey is a fantastic reminder that talent combined with relentless hard work and a bit of faith can make any dream a reality. As India fought to keep the series alive, they placed their trust in a young man who has already proven he knows how to fight, and that's a story every cricket fan can get behind.
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