Why Anshul Kamboj Should Replace Akash Deep In India's 11 For 3rd Test Vs England

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India are likely to be without Akash Deep in Manchester. Here's a case for why Anshul Kamboj should get his debut ahead of safer options like Prasidh Krishna.
If Rishabh Pant's finger injury wasn't enough, India have been dealt with a couple of more significant blows ahead of their fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Test against England in Manchester. Akash Deep, who took 10 wickets in Birmingham in the second game, is also doubtful for the game due to a recurrent back injury.
What's more, India's premier back-up pace option, Arshdeep Singh, has also picked up a hand injury during nets. That means the team will likely need a new partner for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj — who is also overworked and deserves some rest — when they are trailing the series 2-1 and desperate for a win.
The options available are Prasidh Krishna, who played the first two Tests but didn't do too well, picking six wickets but often leaking runs, spinner Kuldeep Yadav and the new-joinee Anshul Kamboj. Although Kamboj has only been roped in as a cover at this stage, it's interesting that the team has picked him ahead of Harshit Rana, who played in Australia and was asked to stay back after the 'A' tour.
Kamboj is yet to play for India, but the Manchester Test could be the perfect time to field him in.
Why playing Anshul Kamboj makes sense
Firstly, India will need to replace Akash Deep with a pacer. Kuldeep is an excellent option who should have gotten his chance already, but as the fourth bowler, not in place of one of the seamers. That's because no matter how flat the conditions get in England, pacers still rule, and that's likely to be true for Old Trafford too.
Kamboj should be India's pick ahead of Prasidh for several reasons. First is his form, with the Haryana pacer racking up 55 wickets in his last 11 first-class matches. In Ranji Trophy 2024-25, he picked up 34 wickets in six games at an average of 13.79 and a telling economy rate of 2.80, with the famous 10/49 as his best figures.
But what about English conditions? He took five wickets in three innings for India 'A' against England Lions before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on pitches that were far from conducive for his skills. The 24-year-old also scored a half-century (unbeaten 51) in an innings for good measure, which means his inclusion won't affect the depth of the side, which the current management prioritises.
Then, unlike Prasidh, Kamboj is a control-first bowler. He can make the ball move off the pitch, but he rarely ever does it at the cost of control. He'll stick with the nagging channel outside off and trouble the batter with subtle changes of seam and angles. With a ceiling of a tricky wicket-hogger, Kamboj can also perform the Ishant Sharma role — being the frugal workhorse from one end to allow Siraj and Bumrah to rotate.
India are at a stage in the series where it's almost necessary to take risks with a debutant instead of playing safe with Prasidh who was tried but didn't impress. Kamboj has all the skills to raise the floor of this team, and help others to push the ceiling further with fresher legs and relaxed minds.
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First Published:
July 20, 2025, 16:14 IST
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