23-year-old Anshul Kamboj had a difficult Indian Premier League debut as the MI pacer bowled two no-balls in his second over and saw opportunities to dismiss Travis Head go down the drain not once, but twice. Anshul Kamboj leaked 32 runs in his first two overs in MI’s penultimate home game of the IPL 2024 season against SunRisers on May 6.
Anshul Kamboj witnessed a see-saw of emotions in his IPL debut as he shattered the stump, breaching Travis Head’s defence when the in-form Australian opener was batting on 24. However, it turned out to be a no-ball as the buzzer at the Wankhede Stadium went off, much to the disappointment of the young fast bowler. Travis Head made full use of the free-hit as he hit a boundary. As it turned out, Anshul Kamboj had over-stepped in the free-hit delivery as well and the no-ball buzzer went off again. Head once again had the license to free his arms and he did so to pick up another boundary.
Anshul did not have the best of outings in the powerplay, but captain Hardik Pandya and senior fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had their arms around the young man’s shoulder.
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The support was evident as Anshul was given another over, this time after the powerplay. The 23-year-old was shattered once again as he nearly had Travis Head’s wicket in his 3rd over. A thick outside edge from the Australia batter flew toward the deep point region, but Nuwan Tushara, who was fielding along the boundary rope, dropped a simple catching opportunity.
Anshul had to wait a bit longer for his first wicket in IPL. In the very next delivery, he bowled a delivery that seamed in after pitching and shattered into the stumps of Mayank Agarwal. The senior India batter became the 23-year-old’s first victim in the IPL.
Anshul had an eventful outing as Hardik Pandya trusted the youngster to bowl all his four overs inside the first 10 overs of SRH’s innings. Consistently in the higher 130s, Anshul did trouble the batters with his ability to swing and seam the delivery, but a couple of no-balls ruined his figures.
WHO IS ANSHUL KAMBOJ
Anshul Kamboj, who hails from Haryana, specialises in medium-pace bowling. Originating from Karnal, he represented India Under-19 in the past. Anshul notably became the second Indian player to make his debut for the Mumbai Indians this IPL season, following Naman Dhir. His exceptional performance in the recent edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw him clinch 17 wickets in 10 matches.
Anshul Kamboj finished with figures of 1 for 42 in 4 overs on his debut for MI on Monday.
