Ravi Ashwin Compares Kamboj's Game Awareness to Zaheer and Bumrah
Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin has praised young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj, calling him a special talent. Anshul Kamboj was recently added to the Indian squad as a replacement for injured pacer Arshdeep Singh. With the 4th Test between India and England in Manchester, Kamboj got his first Test cap because Akash Deep didn't recover on time.
Ravi Ashwin’s High Praise for Anshul Kamboj
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravi Ashwin shared his personal opinion on Anshul Kamboj and was clearly impressed. He said that Anshul Kamboj isn’t just another fast bowler with raw pace — he’s someone who understands match situations, plans well, and knows how to stick to a strategy.
“The most impressive thing about Anshul is his ability to understand plans and apply them on the field. I’ve seen many bowlers, even after 30-40 Tests, who just talk about expressing themselves and enjoying the game. But very few actually understand how to execute a plan properly. Anshul Kamboj is one of those rare ones,” Ashwin said.
He further added that even some well-known fast bowlers fail to read the game smartly. According to Ashwin, only a few bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah have had that deep game awareness — and Kamboj falls into the same category in terms of mindset.
Ashwin Said "An enjoyable and appreciable thing about Anshul Kamboj is that he understands the plan. Many bowlers with 30-40 Tests and beyond also do not understand plans. They will just say I will express myself, enjoy my game, I am here to let loose and all. One is understanding a plan, the other is to execute your plan that way. Many bowlers do not have this strength.
IPL Experience and Strengths
Ravi Ashwin had the chance to observe Kamboj closely during the recent IPL season, where both players were part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) setup. According to Ashwin, Kamboj’s bowling length is his biggest strength, and he is capable of bowling long spells — something crucial for Test cricket, especially in English conditions.
“He’s been in good form in domestic cricket and has shown he can bowl long spells. That’s what you need in England — patience, accuracy, and control.”
Ravi Ashwin believes that if India goes with a bowling lineup featuring Bumrah, Siraj, and Kamboj, it could be one of the most dangerous attacks in the series. He said "This England team, man to man, will not match India skills-wise. Looking at how Siraj and Bumrah bowled, if you bring Anshul Kamboj in, I'm telling you that is a serious bowling attack. People will tell he hasn't played but he was there on the A tour. He's been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He is used to bowling long spells and you need that in England. He will be a really good foil for Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Prasidh Krishna is also an option but I would rather go with Anshul,"
With the series tied and the pressure high, India will be hoping their bowling unit delivers. If Kamboj gets a chance to debut in this high-stakes match, all eyes will be on him. Backed by someone like Ashwin and compared to legends like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah, expectations are surely rising.