India clinched a dramatic win by just six runs in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval on Monday, August 4. The match went down to the wire with England needing only seven runs and one wicket in hand.

Gus Atkinson went for an aggressive shot on a full delivery from Mohammed Siraj but missed, resulting in his off stump being rattled and handing India a dramatic victory. With this, the five-match Test series ended in a 2-2 draw.

England had claimed victories at Headingley and Lord’s, while India bounced back strongly to win at Edgbaston and The Oval. The fourth Test, held at Old Trafford in Manchester, ended in a stalemate, setting up a tense and unforgettable series finale.

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The Warriors for India in This Series:

India witnessed standout performances from multiple players throughout the series, with captain Shubman Gill setting the tone. He led the batting charts for India, amassing 754 runs and earning the Player of the Series title for his consistent brilliance.

Mohammed Siraj led the bowling charts with 23 wickets and earned the Player of the Match award for his impactful performance in the final Test at The Oval.

KL Rahul (532 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (516 runs) were also among the top five scorers, playing crucial roles with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna both claimed 14 wickets each, making vital contributions with the ball across key moments in the series.

Players Who Can be Dropped in the Upcoming Test Series:

While several players delivered strong performances, a few couldn’t make much of an impact during the series. As India prepares for their upcoming home Test series against the West Indies in October, following the Asia Cup in September, some names might be left out. Here's a look at three players who could be dropped for the West Indies Tests.

• Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur, who was recalled for the England Test series, may find himself out of contention for the upcoming West Indies tour. Featuring in just two matches — at Leeds and Old Trafford — Thakur managed only two wickets across three innings, recording figures of 0-38, 2-51, and 0-55, which didn’t quite meet expectations.

Although he contributed a handy 45 runs with the bat, it might not be enough to secure his place. He may need to prove his form and fitness once again through consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, to earn another shot at the national Test squad.

• Karun Nair

Karun Nair is expected to be left out of the upcoming home series against the West Indies. With promising middle-order players like Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan waiting to take advantage of home conditions, Nair may have to return to the Ranji Trophy and perform well to get another chance in the national team.

His future in the Indian Test team looks uncertain unless the selectors opt to give him more chances. In the recent England series, he managed 205 runs across eight innings, with his top score being 57 in the final Test.

Although Nair still holds a solid Test average of 41.35, it is mainly due to his unbeaten 303 against England in his debut series. With only one century and one fifty in 15 innings, his recent performances haven't been convincing. Adding to his woes, reports suggest he may have suffered a broken index finger, which could keep him out temporarily.

• Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj made his Test debut during the fourth match of the India-England series, stepping in for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Initially, Arshdeep Singh was the preferred replacement, but he suffered an injury while training, giving Anshul his maiden opportunity.

However, Anshul's debut didn’t make a strong impact. He was dismissed for a duck and managed just one wicket while conceding 89 runs. With India set to play their next Test series at home, conditions may favour other all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who bring more experience. Anshul will need to sharpen his skills to regain a spot in the squad or the playing XI.

After so much buzz, the debut of Anshul Kamboj turned out to be a disheartening show. After Shardul Thakur, he was the second least bowler to be used by Captain Shubman Gill's Team India at Old Trafford. The bowler, who got 10 wickets in an innings of a Ranji Trophy match, deserves the opportunity to represent the nation. But domestic cricket and international cricket are totally different ball games. There are plenty of examples in world cricket where we can find players who performed well in domestic cricket but are unimpressive during national duties.

As Anshul played only one match for India, it'll be too quick and harsh to eliminate him from the contention. Kamboj has the ability to capture wickets; he proved that by dismissing Ben Duckett. When the England opener was in full swing, the newcomer did the damage. He lured the batter to go for a cut shot, and Duckett fell into the trap. The extra bounce created by the medium pacer got an edge that carried straight to Dhruv Jurel's gloves.

3 reasons why Kamboj deserves another shot:

1. Preparations: He got very limited time to get prepared for the high-caliber match in Manchester. Without any notable preparations, it is very hard to deliver a top-notch performance, especially in Test cricket. After the injuries of Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, India has no choice but to add another pacer into the squad, and they chose Kamboj for the job. 

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2. Accustomed to the atmosphere: Kamboj was in the UK with the India 'A' team to play against the England Lions. Then he returned to India and again went to England to join India's main squad. He could have gained some experience with India 'A,' but every ground has its own characteristics, and the unpredictable weather conditions make the matches in England more interesting. To understand the situation and atmosphere, a cricket can take some time, which is not unusual. 

3. Understanding the role: Understanding the role is very important for a player. Kamboj has to understand what his team demands from him. If he understands his role properly, then the emerging bowler may deliver in a more refined way. 

Former India fast bowler RP Singh questioned skipper Shubman Gill’s decision to hand the new ball to debutant Anshul Kamboj on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. England ended the day at a commanding 225/2 in just 46 overs, having earlier bowled India out for 358. RP Singh felt that the responsibility of opening the bowling should have gone to a more experienced pacer, such as Mohammed Siraj.

Speaking during a discussion on Sony Sports, RP Singh echoed Hemang Badani’s opinion that Kamboj lacked the necessary qualities to be given the new ball in such a crucial match. I agree with Hemang's views that they could have started with Siraj because Anshul Kamboj doesn't have a distinctive bowling action. If Bumrah was playing in his first match, he could have bowled the first over, as he has a different action and style while bowling. Anshul Kamboj is like a traditional bowler," he said.

The former left-arm seamer further explained why debutants often struggle in Test cricket, particularly without express pace or a distinct bowling action. "His bowling action and follow-through are like a normal bowler. He doesn't have express speed either. A new bowler can bowl the first or second over if there is some surprise element. It's very difficult for a new bowler to perform well in Tests. Tests test your skill, patience, and discipline properly, which are not seen that much in a new bowler," RP Singh explained.

RP Singh highlights lack of discipline and poor conditions for Indian seamers

RP Singh also discussed the Indian seamers' struggle with line and length, especially as conditions began to favor batting. He pointed out that England’s bowlers adapted better in the morning, whereas India’s pacers lacked the same control and intent. "The way England bowled in the morning, it was in their minds that the ball would move a lot here, but that didn't happen. There could be many reasons for that. One is that generally more runs are scored between Lunch and Tea, and the sun was also out. The conditions were no longer overcast," he said.

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He further noted that weather interruptions and moisture affected the Indian bowlers' rhythm. "There was slight rain in between. When it has rained, the problem is that the ball starts skidding a little after pitching, and it becomes difficult to maintain the ball when it goes into the outfield. The Indian bowlers were bowling an attacking line, and the conditions weren't supporting them. They didn't show patience and discipline. It took the bowlers a long time to figure that out," RP Singh concluded.

A tough day for Team India. England ruled the second day of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. Two late strikes by Ravindra Jadeja and Anshul Kamboj keep India relevant after the stumps of Day 2. India, batting first, posted 358 runs on the scoreboard in the first innings.

England has already well edged past half of the mark; they will start Day 3 with 225 on the scoreboard and 8 wickets in hand. The first session of Day 3 can be crucial for India. They have to dent England more to reduce some pressure from the shoulders. The home team again, with their infamous Bazball, captured the driving seat.

India bowlers were looking absolutely clueless against two England openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. They made a formidable 166-run partnership before Zak departed. When the home team came to bat, the weather in Manchester was clear and shiny, with perhaps a drier outfield: a favorable condition for Bazball, especially when the bowlers were struggling. The debutant Anshul Kamboj became a topic for criticism because of his relatively slow pace and venom-less bowling tactics. His first 5-over spell was way below the expeditions.

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During his next attempt, the all-rounder from Haryana got his first international wicket in Ben Duckett. The left-handed batter went to play a cut but got an edge, which went to Dhruv Jurel's gloves behind the stumps. Experienced Ravindra Jadeja again came to rescue the team first. He stanched the first scalp of the innings for Shubman Gill and Co. 

Stumps on Day 2 in Manchester!

Debutant Anshul Kamboj & Ravindra Jadeja pick a wicket each in the final session ⚡️

England reach 225/2, trail by 133 runs.

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGu4SI#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/YGTUz2uzwK

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2025

ENG vs IND 4th Test Scoreboard in brief:

India: 358

England: 225/2

England trails by 133 runs.

Indian pacer Anshul Kamboj was full of emotion after earning his maiden Test cap for India, replacing the injured Akash Deep for the fourth Test against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Wednesday. “The feeling is surreal. So much that I can't express it in words. I will just look to do better as much as I can,” said the 24-year-old in a video shared by the BCCI. He received his cap from former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta, making him India's 318th Test cricketer.

Just a week ago, Kamboj had been training in Karnal with a Dukes ball, keeping himself ready for an opportunity. That moment arrived when injuries hit India’s pace unit, prompting the selectors to call up the consistent Haryana seamer. Over the past few domestic seasons, Kamboj has been among the standout performers, earning praise for his discipline and match-winning spells.

Kamboj's greatest achievement was in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy when he took all 10 wickets in an innings for Haryana against Kerala—a rare, historic achievement in Indian cricket. From then on, the right-arm medium pacer has continued to rise in stature, taking 79 wickets in 24 first-class games and contributing vital runs in the lower order.

Strong 'A' tour, IPL experience, and Test dream

Earlier this year, Kamboj further boosted his credentials during a four-day game for India ‘A’ against the England Lions in Northampton. He impressed by taking two wickets in each innings and scoring 51 not out, showing great maturity with bat and ball. That performance provides vital strength to his case for national selection.

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Kamboj was also part of the IPL 2025 season, representing Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni. He played eight matches and took a total of eight wickets. He has had some success in IPL before but has always believed that success should be defined by Test cricket as the ultimate goal—and now, that dream has finally come true.

Anshul Kamboj received his Team India cap. Ha made his debut today (July 23, 2025) against England for the 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester. The Haryana-born was constantly knocking on the doors of selectors 'to get a chance to represent his country as a deserving candidate. He came under the spotlight during a Ranji Trophy match between Kerala and Haryana in 2024 at Rohtak. In his match, the pacer from Karnal, Haryana, claimed all 10 wickets in the first innings of the match. A rare achievement for bowlers.

After that, Kamboj in no time stole the limelight. For the last few days, updates about his possible debut have been floating around social media platforms. Those speculations and probabilities proved correct when Kamboj got his Test captain. It was a special moment for the bowler and for Haryana as well. Cricket fans are curious to know more about the pacer, who can add some value with the bat also. 

Kamboj showed his full potential during the match against Kerala. In that match, Kerala has multiple experienced batters in their lineup, like Baba Aparajith, Sachin Baby, and Jalaj Saxena. No one is able to stand against the right-arm medium pacer. Through the video, attached below in the article, viewers can relive the 10-wicket haul of Anshul. 

Watch the fall of wickets here

A reminder: India debutant Anshul Kamboj took all ten wickets in an innings for Haryana against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy last season 🤯

(via @BCCIdomestic)pic.twitter.com/Fc8qXRazNj

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 23, 2025

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Despite that historic bowling spell, the match ended in a draw. Kamboj remained wicketless in the second innings. Kerala scored 291 and 125/2d, respectively, in the first and second innings. In reply, Haryana posted 164 and 52/2. Thus, the match settled for a draw.

In his milestone spell, the well-built pacer tricked the batters through his variations. He forced the batters to play and then struck at the moments when the opposition batsmen were defenseless. Anshul's outswing with extra bounce on the green turf proved destructive. 

Proving some of the speculations right, Anshul Kamboj got his Team India debut cap. The young pacer got the cap number 318. For the 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, the Indian team management combined the debutant with two experienced fast bowlers of the team—Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Kamboj replaces Akash Deep, who picked up an injury during a training session after the third Test of the series at Lord's. Arshdeep Singh was also ruled out of the contention for injury reasons.

Understanding the seriousness of the incident, Team India added Haryana to the squad with immediate effect. Anshul's inclusion is considered a positive intention from the brigade in Blue. Standing over 6 ft tall, the Karnal-born's skill set can be an asset for Shubman Gill and Co. Along with extra bounce, the medium pacer has the capability to swing the ball in both ways.

The 24-year-old joined Team India after some brilliant spells in domestic cricket. The pacer took 10 wickets in an innings during a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala in 2024. He traveled to England with the India 'A' team to face the England Lions for a couple of multi-day practice matches.

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The all-rounder, hailing from Karnal, made his mark during these practice matches. In three innings of the games against England Lions, he captured five wickets, and with the bat, he scored 23 runs and 51 runs not out in two innings. For India, after getting defeated at the Lord's, it is going to be a must-win contest. England, now leading the five-match series by 2-1, has only 2 matches left to decide the fate of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. 

The Toss

The toss can be a crucial factor in the game. England skipper Ben Stokes chose to field first after winning the toss. The home team will try their best to get the most from the fresh surface of Old Trafford, Manchester. 

ENG vs IND 4th Test Playing XI:

India (Playing XI)—Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan (in for Karun Nair), Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur (in for Nitish Kumar Reddy), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Anshul Kamboj (on Test debut, in for Akash Deep).

England (Playing XI)—Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Liam Dawson (in for Shoaib Bashir), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer.

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin recently compared young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj to Indian pace legends Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. With the fourth Test of the India vs England series set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, Kamboj has emerged as a strong contender for selection. After Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep were injured and ruled out, the 24-year-old pacer was included in the selection. There has been a great deal of intrigue in his selection, and many are keen to see what he does at the international level. 

Ashwin, who went with Kamboj for a couple of matches while at Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, spoke highly of the youngster's maturity and cricketing intellect. He mentioned that Kamboj is aware of situations and bends his bowling based on the context of the match, likening his mind to that of Zaheer and Bumrah.  The veteran off-spinner believes Kamboj has tactical awareness and can stay calm under pressure, which makes him a great prospect for India in the difficult conditions of England. 

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“The most appreciable thing about Anshul Kamboj is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many bowlers who, even after playing 30–40 Test matches, still don’t understand the plan. If you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game. Because they don’t understand the plan. That is one type of bowling. The other is bowling according to the plan. Anshul Kamboj understands the plan and also knows how to execute it in the middle. I have seen that. It’s not a trait a lot of fast bowlers have. Zaheer Khan was one of them—he was amazing. Jassi is another one. He understands the plan, makes plans, and executes them to perfection. Anshul Kamboj belongs to that variety,” said Ashwin on his YouTube Channel.

He has been in cracking form in first-class cricket: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged that Anshul Kamboj’s inclusion is likely to significantly boost India’s bowling attack. The experienced spinner mentioned that the young pace bowler stands out with both effort and precision, which could be vital in the next Test. Ashwin also examined Kamboj's performances in the recent past, saying that at present, he is a valuable weapon for the team. He emphasised that Kamboj’s ability to generate pace and movement would complement the existing attack well, adding that the youngster’s confidence and control could play a key role in India’s strategy at Old Trafford.

“With Bumrah and Siraj there, if you are bringing in Anshul Kamboj into the playing XI, I’m telling you, it’s a serious bowling attack. People can say that Anshul Kamboj will be playing his first Test. But he was there with India A. He has been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He averaged around 13 last season and even bagged 10 wickets in an innings. He had a kick-ass Duleep Trophy. Anshul Kamboj knows how to bowl a long spell. You need that in England. Anshul will be a really good foil for Siraj and Bumrah,” Ashwin concluded.

Anshul Kamboj is reportedly all set to make his Team India debut in the England vs India 4th Test (ENG vs IND 4th Test), starting from tomorrow (July 23, 2025), at Old Trafford, Manchester. Due to multiple injuries, Team India added Kamboj in the setup as a cover.

Two pacers of the squad, Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, caught injuries during training sessions, which led Shubman Gill and Co. to call up the Haryana-born all-rounder. If the media reports are to be believed, then the tall pacer is on the verge of making his debut in the format. If that happens, then the emerging cricketer will get a chance to repeat a history, which was made for the first time in 1990.

In that year, at the same venue, Old Trafford, witness another 'AK' making a Test debut. 'AK' means Anil Kumble. Legendary Anil Kumble played his career's first Test match in his iconic ground. Anshul Kamboj, another Indian cricketer with the initial 'AK,' can get his debut cap. Kumble made his debut in the Whites and made his arrival remarkable by capturing 3 wickets in the first innings.

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Kamboj gained experience in England playing for India A

The 24-year-old joined Team India after some brilliant spells in domestic cricket. The pacer took 10 wickets in an innings during a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala in 2024. He traveled to England with the India 'A' team to face the England Lions for a couple of multi-day practice matches.

The all-rounder, hailing from Karnal, made his mark during these practice matches. In three innings of the games against England Lions, he captured five wickets, and with the bat, he scored 23 runs and 51 runs not out in two innings. For India, after getting defeated at the Lord's, it is going to be a must-win contest. England, now leading the five-match series by 2-1, has only 2 matches left to decide the fate of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. 

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.