Indian off-spinner R. Ashwin has high praise for young pacer Anshul Kamboj — saying he sees shades of legends Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah in the rising bowler. Yes, you read that right!
Kamboj, who was recently added to the Indian squad as a backup for the injured Arshdeep Singh, has quickly impressed the senior players with his cricketing smarts — and Ashwin can’t stop talking about it.
Ashwin’s Big Statement
In a recent interview during the India tour of England, Ashwin shared his thoughts on Kamboj’s potential:
“It’s not about raw pace — it’s about how he thinks. He reminds me of Zaheer Khan in his planning and has Bumrah-like control when executing a plan,” Ashwin said.
That’s a massive comparison — especially coming from one of India’s most experienced and respected cricketers.
Now with Ashwin backing him, fans are curious if we’ll soon see him debut in the Indian jersey. With Bumrah and Siraj there, if you are bringing in Anshul Kamboj into the playing XI, I’m telling you, it’s a serious bowling attack,” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash ki baat ..
What Makes Kamboj So Special?
So what exactly has impressed Ashwin?
Here’s what he pointed out:
- Take a bow, Anshul Kamboj! The young pacer just wrote his name in Ranji Trophy folklore with an incredible 10-wicket haul (10/49) against Kerala — only the third ever to do it in the tournament’s long history.
- Smart Planning: Kamboj doesn’t just bowl — he thinks about how to bowl to a particular batter.
- Sharp Execution: Like Bumrah, he can stick to a plan and adjust quickly if things change mid-over.
- Game Awareness: Even in net sessions, he knows where to bowl, what line to take, and how to set fields — something you usually see in seasoned players.
“He’s not a net bowler who just runs in and bowls. He’s calculating — that’s rare,” Ashwin noted.
Who Is Anshul Kamboj?
If you haven’t heard much about Anshul Kamboj yet — you’re not alone. But that might change soon.
- From Haryana, Kamboj has made a name for himself with his disciplined bowling in domestic cricket.
- He was called up as injury cover in the ongoing Test series against England.
🇮🇳 What This Means for Team India
India is always on the lookout for future fast-bowling stars. With legends like Zaheer Khan retired and Bumrah handling most of the load, the next generation is crucial — and Kamboj might just be part of that future.
Ashwin’s endorsement means selectors will be keeping a closer eye on the young pacer, especially if he continues to show maturity beyond his years.
