3 reasons why India must play Anshul Kamboj in ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test at Manchester

Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj has been included in the India squad for the vital fourth Test of the five-match series against England, which starts on Wednesday, July 23 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Kamboj's inclusion will add depth to the Indian pace attack and bolster their bowling unit ahead of this monumental match, which could tilt the momentum in this highly competitive series that is level at 1-1 after three hard-fought matches.

Kamboj has replaced left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who suffered an unfortunate injury in training on Thursday, July 17. In attempting to stop a ball, Arshdeep injured his bowling arm and sustained a cut which needed stitching. The 26-year-old is now almost ruled out of the fourth Test, and is doubtful for the fifth and final Test. While Singh's absence will be a setback for India, Kamboj's excellent recent domestic cricket form has seen him presented with a chance to perhaps fulfill his dream of playing on a big stage.

"Arshdeep has a deep cut and has had stitches; he will take at least ten days to get completely fit. The selectors have decided to add Kamboj in the squad," a BCCI source told The Indian Express.

With the series hanging in the balance and India trailing 1-2, the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford becomes a must-win contest for the visitors to keep their hopes alive. The inclusion of uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj presents an opportunity to inject fresh energy and variety into India’s pace attack, which has shown signs of fatigue. His raw pace and recent domestic form make a strong case for selection. Given the challenging English conditions, Kamboj’s debut could provide India with the edge they need to level the series before the final Test.

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Fresh legs are important in 4th Test

Team India are facing a selection conundrum ahead of the fourth Test, with Jasprit Bumrah expected to return to the playing XI. However, with management previously indicating that the 31-year-old would only feature in three matches this series, playing him at Old Trafford might mean resting him for the final Test. Adding to India’s concerns, pacer Akash Deep appeared to be in discomfort during Day 4 of the Lord’s Test. Though he later returned to the field, he didn’t bowl again, raising doubts over his fitness ahead of the must-win encounter.

Akash Deep’s recurring back issues, which have previously sidelined him from major fixtures like the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy decider and the early IPL 2025 matches, further complicate India’s pace attack options. With Arshdeep Singh already ruled out due to a hand injury, uncapped Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj could be a timely addition. Kamboj’s pace, control, and freshness might give India a new dimension. Given the lackluster performances of Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna earlier in the series, Kamboj’s unfamiliarity to the English batters could prove to be a surprise weapon in India’s bid to level the series.

Brilliant India A tour

With an equally impressive first-class record of 24 matches and 79 wickets at an average of 22.88 and 44.2 strike rate in 1st class, Anshul Kamboj has been a player with two five-wicket hauls and big spells that can change a match. Kamboj made his mark in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy for Haryana as he played in six matches and took 34 wickets at an average of 13.79 and with a strike rate of 29.55. His best performance was against Kerala as he became the only third bowler in the history of the Ranji Trophy to take all 10 wickets in an innings (10/49). 

Kamboj’s case gets even stronger after a solid domestic performance for India A before the England Test series bowled in two unofficial Test matches against the England Lions for five wickets across three innings at an average of - 26.20, showing both his current form and ability to adapt to English conditions. At only 24 years of age, Kamboj has a mix of pace, skill and recent success in red-ball cricket, makes him a really good option for the remaining two Tests of India’s playing XI. His recent exploits suggest he could be the X-factor India needs to bounce back in the series.

Conditions would favour him

With India facing multiple injury concerns and Anshul Kamboj in excellent form, the 24-year-old presents a strong case for inclusion in the Manchester Test. Kamboj's attributes go beyond just the numbers; he is perfectly suited to play England cricket conditions. At 6 foot 2 inches, he has the ability to hit the deck hard and extract height, creating awkward bounce, even for established batters. The fact that he moves the ball both ways makes him versatile and a potential threat to any batting line-up, irrespective of how much experience they have. All these things will be key when trying to exploit pitches that require patience and discernable movement. 

Kamboj is noted for his control, line, and length which are common traits in successful Test match bowlers, particularly on flat pitches. He has accuracy and the discipline needed to develop into a bowler who could build pressure and induce an error on behalf of the batter. Given that weather reports state there is rain imminent for the fourth Test in Manchester coupled with overcast conditions, there is every likelihood the pitch will offer seam movement. In a scenario where there is swing and bounce, Kamboj demonstrates the skills to exploit that and could be significant for India if they are to square the series and take momentum into the final Test.