In 2023, Anshul Kamboj practiced with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team as a net bowler.
Anshul Kamboj cleaned up Mayank Agarwal and almost got rid of Travis Head?
Going into the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, the Mumbai Indians made only one change from the playing XI they fielded in the last game. South Africa’s speedster, Gerald Coetzee was dropped. In came their second IPL debutant of the season after Naman Dhir – Anshul Kamboj.
Skipper Hardik Pandya would introduce the newcomer in the powerplay itself, bowling in tandem with one Jasprit Bumrah. It was only his second over that Kamboj got rid of one of the most dangerous batters in the competition – Travis Head – or so it seemed. Even though the off stump had been uprooted and his MI teammates were quick to join him for the celebrations, Kamboj had delivered a front-foot no ball.
His first wicket, however, did come in his third over. With a length ball around the off stump, the MI pacer would pluck the off stump again – this time with Mayank Agarwal on strike. But who is MI’s latest debutant?
Kamboj, 23, is an all-rounder who hails from the Karnal, Haryana. It was only in the recent edition of the domestic fifty overs tournament that Kamboj made a name for himself. As Haryana clinched the title for a first time, Kamboj was among the leading wicket takers with 17 scalps from just 10 matches.
The 23-year-old has 23 wickets from 15 List-A games to his name. Before making his IPL debut, Kamboj has featured in only nine T20 matches whereas his first-class record is 13-games in.
The Haryana based all-rounder has represented India at the U-19 level, having two youth Test appearances to his name against South Africa from back in 2019. Coincidentally, Kamboj shared the field then with Marco Jansen, who was also part of the opposition XI – SRH – during his IPL debut.
Back in 2023, Kamboj was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp as a net bowler.At the 2024 mini-auction, he was bought by MI for his base price of INR 20 lakh.