Cricket legend Kapil Dev has come out in strong support of young pacer Anshul Kamboj, who faced criticism after a tough Test debut against England in Manchester. Dev believes Kamboj has the potential to succeed despite an underwhelming first outing.
Kapil Dev Defends Youngster
Kapil Dev questioned the high expectations often placed on debutants. He emphasized the importance of assessing a player’s potential rather than just the immediate result.
“What do you expect from a debutant, that he should take 10 wickets?” Dev remarked. He added, “You have to assess his potential. If he’s good enough, he will bounce back. Everyone is nervous when playing their first game. The result may not be ideal, but I believe the ability is there, and that’s more important.”
A Challenging Start
Anshul Kamboj received his maiden Test cap from former India wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta before the toss. This made him the tenth Indian cricketer to debut at Old Trafford, and the first since Anil Kumble’s first appearance at the ground.
However, his debut saw him pick up just one wicket while conceding 89 runs across 18 overs. India’s bowling attack struggled as England posted a formidable total of 660 runs in their first innings, leaving Kamboj under significant scrutiny.
Road to the Test Cap
Kamboj’s selection followed an impressive domestic red-ball season. Since September 2024, he had secured 55 wickets in 11 matches, including a notable 10-wicket haul against Kerala in Lahli.
Despite his domestic success, Kamboj had recently returned from an India A tour to the UK due to a shin injury. He was brought into the squad for the Manchester Test to replace the injured Akash Deep, and his performance suggested he might not have been fully fit.
Ashwin’s Concern and Call for Deeper Pool
Fellow Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin also commented on Kamboj’s performance. Ashwin, who had previously lauded Kamboj, expressed surprise at his reduced bowling speeds during the Test.
“I praised Anshul Kamboj yesterday, but I have to say that his bowling speeds were so low, I was quite surprised,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. He noted that Kamboj had bowled faster even in the IPL, suggesting he might have been struggling.
Ashwin hoped for the youngster’s well-being and emphasized the broader need for a larger pool of bowlers to handle injuries and ensure consistent performance across the team.
- Kapil Dev urged patience for Anshul Kamboj after his challenging Test debut.
- Kamboj picked up one wicket for 89 runs against England in his maiden Test.
- Ravichandran Ashwin noted a surprising drop in Kamboj’s bowling speed, hinting at a possible injury concern.
- Kamboj’s selection was based on a strong domestic season, but he had a recent shin injury before the match.
With experienced voices backing him, Kamboj will be looking to bounce back and prove his potential in future opportunities.
