Not Mohammed Shami! R Ashwin Likens Anshul Kamboj To 92-Test Veteran Pacer
Ashwin has lauded Anshul Kamboj's bowling skills, comparing him to Zaheer Khan.
Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that while most pacers would always just look to express themselves, Anshul Kamboj is the one who understands the plan and bowls accordingly, much like former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan. Reports suggest Kamboj might be handed a Test debut in Manchester.
Kamboj was drafted into the Indian team for the fourth Test against England in Manchester after injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh last week.
Kamboj had earlier impressed during India A's twin games against the England Lions ahead of the five-Test series and has now been called back into the senior team.
'The appreciable thing about Anshul is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many pacers. If you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
'But Anshul understands plans and also knows how to execute in the middle. It's not a trait many pacers possess. Zaheer Khan was one of them. He was amazing," Ashwin said.
'In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety. I'm not comparing skills because skills are a very different thing," Ashwin added.
Kamboj impressed in the lead-up to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, performing well for India A against the England Lions.
Across four innings at Northampton and Canterbury, Kamboj picked up five wickets, showing late movement and bounce.
'He has a very good tappa (right length). I have seen that in the IPL. His wrist position is very good and he delivers a very upright seam. He never leaves his tappa," Ashwin said.
'With Bumrah and Siraj there, if you are bringing in Anshul Kamboj into the playing XI, I'm telling you, it's serious bowling," Ashwin added.
Kamboj has picked 79 wickets in 24 first-class matches for Haryana, at an impressive economy of 3.1.
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