Meet CSK’s Surprise Weapon Who Took 10 Wickets in a Ranji Innings!
From Karnal to Chepauk: The Rise of Anshul Kamboj
A packed Chepauk crowd, yellow flags waving, drums beating, and a 24-year-old debutant charging in with fire in his eyes. That’s exactly how Anshul Kamboj made his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) debut in IPL 2025.
But hang on—this wasn’t the first time he’d been in the IPL mix.
Let’s rewind a bit.
Anshul, a medium pacer from Karnal, Haryana, made his IPL debut last year for Mumbai Indians. He featured in three matches, picked up two wickets, and showed flashes of raw potential. But like many young bowlers in India, he quietly faded into the background... until he did something insane.
10 Wickets. One Innings. One Name That Echoed Nationwide.
Yep, you read that right. During the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, Anshul Kamboj became only a handful of bowlers in Indian domestic cricket history to pick up all 10 wickets in a single innings.
Against Kerala, he bowled 30.1 overs, conceded just 49 runs, and wiped out the entire batting lineup.
Let that sink in for a moment. That’s not just dominance—that’s a demolition job.
And guess what? That spell changed his life.
CSK Came Calling – ₹3.8 Crore Worth of Belief
It’s not every day that someone goes from base price to ₹3.8 crore in the IPL auction, but Anshul’s heroics turned heads across the cricketing world. CSK—known for backing under-the-radar talent (hello, Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana)—saw something special.
They brought him in as a replacement for Mukesh Choudhary, and on April 11, 2025, he got his first cap in yellow.
And just like that, Anshul became the 19th player in IPL history to feature for both MI and CSK. Elite company, if you ask me. (Yes, we’re talking names like Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Rayudu, and Piyush Chawla!)
Domestic Career Highlights:
- First-Class (FC): 22 matches, 74 wickets @ 22.66
- List A Debut: Nov 15, 2022 (Vijay Hazare vs Bihar)
- T20 Debut: Oct 22, 2022 (Syed Mushtaq Ali vs Karnataka)
- Highest FC Score: 46
- Biggest Feat: 10-wicket haul vs Kerala in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
IPL Career:
- 2024: MI picked him at ₹20 lakh (3 games, 2 wickets)
- 2025: Bought by CSK for ₹3.8 crore
What Makes Him Special?
Here’s the thing—India produces thousands of pacers. But not many have the stamina, control, and mindset to run in over after over in red-ball cricket. That 10-fer? It wasn’t a lucky spell. It was a sign of a bowler who knows how to grind, how to plan, and how to execute.
In T20s, where bowlers often get whacked, someone like Anshul, who brings discipline and variations, is gold. He’s not the flashiest. But he’s gritty.
And you know what? That’s exactly what CSK needs right now—especially when the squad is scrambling for reliable pace options.
What’s Next for Anshul Kamboj?
If he clicks, this could be a breakout IPL for him. A couple of solid spells, and he might cement his spot in the XI.
With Deepak Chahar struggling for fitness and Tushar Deshpande hot and cold, the door is wide open. And don’t forget—MS Dhoni has a knack for bringing the best out of bowlers. Just ask Pathirana.
