Anshul Kamboj, a 24-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Haryana, is making waves in Indian cricket and is potentially on the cusp of an India debut in the fourth Test against England, starting July 23, 2025, at Old Trafford in Manchester. His journey, marked by consistent performances in domestic cricket and an impressive showing for India A, has propelled him into the national spotlight.
Kamboj's early life began in Karnal, Haryana, where he was born on December 6, 2000, into a farming family. He began his cricket journey playing with a tennis ball. Standing tall at 6'2", Kamboj is a bowling all-rounder known for his ability to swing the ball and maintain a consistent line and length.
Kamboj made his first-class debut for Haryana against Tripura in February 2022. However, he truly began to shine in limited-overs cricket. In the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took 7 wickets in 7 matches, followed by a remarkable 17 wickets in 10 matches in the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing a key role in Haryana's title victory.
His talent was further recognized when he was selected for the 2024 Duleep Trophy. A defining moment in his career came in November 2024 during a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala, where he achieved the rare feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings, finishing with figures of 10/49. This accomplishment placed him among an elite group of bowlers in Ranji Trophy history.
Kamboj's performances in domestic cricket attracted the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. He was initially picked up by the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2024 IPL auction. After being released by MI, he was then acquired by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a significant sum of INR 3.4 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. In the 2025 season, he played 8 matches for CSK, taking 8 wickets. MS Dhoni praised Kamboj, noting that he was quicker than he appeared.
Before potentially making his Test debut, Kamboj also had a stint with the India A team, where he continued to impress. During the India A tour of England in June 2025, he took 5 wickets in two matches against the England Lions. In the first unofficial Test in Canterbury, he took the opening wicket.
With Arshdeep Singh ruled out due to a hand injury and doubts surrounding Akash Deep's fitness, Kamboj has been added to India's squad as a cover for the fourth Test. He has been seen bowling with impressive pace and control in net sessions, further fueling speculation about his debut. The team management seems tempted to play Kamboj, given his consistency with lines and lengths.
If selected, Kamboj would be the 318th player to represent India in Test cricket.