8/69! Anshul Kamboj Becomes Third Pacer To Record Eight-wicket Haul In Duleep Trophy History

Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj claimed an eight-wicket haul for India C in the Duleep Trophy round-two fixture against India B at the Anantapur Cricket Ground ‘B’ venue.

After bagging five wickets on day 3 the previous evening, Kamboj snapped three early wickets in the morning session on Sunday to continue his procession. India C had set a mammoth 524-run first-innings total for Abhimanyu Easwaran’s side to pursue. Kamboj wrapped the India B innings with his eight-wicket as he dismissed No. 11 Mukesh Kumar, leaving Easwaran unbeaten on 157.

Kamboj became only the third pacer to record an eight-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy, behind Debasis Mohanty (10/46) and Ashoke Dinda (8/123).

While Easwaran and N Jagadeesan had provided a strong start for India B on Day 2, Kamboj ripped open the middle-order on Saturday. The 23-year-old trapped Mumbai brothers Sarfaraz Khan (16) and Musheer Khan (1) after removing Jagadeesan (70).

Before his rewarding outing here, Kamboj had not recorded more than three wickets in an innings in his previous 14 First-Class matches.

Kamboj is an all-rounder who hails from 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 Vijay Hazare Trophy title for the first time, Kamboj was among the leading wicket-takers, taking 17 scalps from 10 matches.

Kamboj has 23 wickets from 15 List-A games to his name. Before making his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2024, Kamboj had featured in only nine T20 matches.

Kamboj had a rocky Mumbai Indians debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad where cleaned up Travis Head before the delivery was adjudged a no-ball. Kamboj featured in three games for MI, picking two wickets.

However, his smooth operation with a high-arm release and straight seam position impressed the experts and analysts during his brief appearance in the franchise tournament.