Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj etched his name into the annals of Indian cricket history on Thursday, becoming the third player ever to take all ten wickets in an innings in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. Kamboj’s extraordinary achievement came during his side’s clash with Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli, where he returned figures of 10 for 49 from 30.1 overs, dismissing the final Kerala batter, Shoun Roger, to complete the remarkable feat.
Kamboj’s performance not only stunned the cricketing world but also placed him alongside some of the game’s greats. He became the sixth Indian cricketer to take all ten wickets in an innings in first-class cricket, joining a select group that includes Subhash Gupte, Anil Kumble, and Debasis Mohanty. In the Ranji Trophy, Kamboj is only the third bowler to achieve this rare feat, following Premangsu Chatterjee (1956-57) and Pradeep Sunderam (1985-86).
The 23-year-old pacer’s ten-wicket haul is yet another milestone in what has been a breakthrough year for Kamboj. Hailing from Karnal, a town better known for its boxing heritage, Kamboj took up cricket at the age of 14 and, in less than a decade, has made a name for himself as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country. His incredible rise culminated in an IPL debut with Mumbai Indians earlier this year, where he played three matches during the 2024 season.
Kamboj’s performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this year also drew attention, as he was instrumental in Haryana’s title-winning campaign. He took 17 wickets in 10 games, including a best of 4 for 30 in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu, and finished the tournament with an impressive economy rate of 3.58.
The pacer’s outstanding first-class performances have been a consistent feature of his rise. Notably, during the Duleep Trophy in September, he claimed 8 for 69 while playing for India C against India B, a spell that included the scalps of seasoned domestic batters like Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh, and N Jagadeesan.
Last month, Kamboj also made his mark with the India Emerging squad during the T20 Asia Cup, where his 3 for 33 against Pakistan Shaheens played a pivotal role in India’s victory.
Kamboj’s meteoric rise has also attracted attention from the IPL, with the bowler earning a maiden IPL contract in 2024 with Mumbai Indians. Though Mumbai ended the season at the bottom of the points table, Kamboj’s performances stood out, and he is expected to be one of the most sought-after uncapped players during the upcoming IPL 2025 auction in late November.
His exceptional feat in the Ranji Trophy is a testament to his growing stature in Indian cricket, and fans will be eagerly watching his progress in the coming months as he looks to build on his burgeoning reputation both in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Kamboj Joins Elite Company
While Kamboj’s ten-wicket haul is a historic achievement in Indian cricket, it also places him in the broader context of first-class cricket. Only 90 bowlers in the history of the game have managed to claim all ten wickets in a single innings. Of these, Anil Kumble, Jim Laker (England), and Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) are the only bowlers to have achieved this feat in a Test match. Kumble’s iconic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 remains one of the defining moments in Indian cricket history.
For Kamboj, the milestone is just another step in what promises to be an exciting career, with more achievements likely to follow in the years to come. As he continues to impress with both ball and bat in domestic cricket and the IPL, Anshul Kamboj is fast emerging as one of India’s brightest fast-bowling prospects.
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