MI skipper Hardik Pandya (right) alongside debutant Anshul Kamboj during his spell vs SRH at Wankhede Stadium. (Sportzpics)
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?
Anshul Kamboj of Mumbai Indians during match 55 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on the 6th May 2024. (Photo by Faheem Hussain/ Sportzpics for IPL)
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.
Get latest updates on IPL 2024 from IPL Points Table to Teams, Schedule, Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates.
