“Don’t Judge” Sourav Ganguly Warns Selectors Over Anshul Kamboj’s Snub for The Oval Test

Samira Vishwas

Tezzbuzz|01-08-2025

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has warned selectors over Anshul Kamboj’s snub as he has been left out of the playing 11 after playing only one match in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy.

Kamboj made his test debut at Old Trafford, Manchester, replacing the injured quicks and opening the bowling.

He returned figures of 1/89 in 18 overs, dismissing only Ben Duckett, and conceded over 4.94 runs per over while averaging just 128 km/hr, dropping later to 125 km/hr.

The fast bowler has struggled with line, length, and pace on a flat pitch and was subsequently dropped for the fifth Test, which started on July 31 at the Kennington Oval in London.

Ganguly urged patience and broader assessment before writing off the young pacer.

“Don’t judge Anshul Kamboj based on just one Test match. He’s a young kid who has taken plenty of wickets in domestic cricket. We need to assess players over five, six, even eight Tests before forming opinions,” said Sourav Ganguly.

“That said, I’ll be honest—I’m surprised not to see Mukesh Kumar in the national squad, especially in red-ball cricket. His domestic numbers are phenomenal, and these conditions would have suited his style of bowling perfectly. Hopefully, he’ll get his opportunity in the near future,” Ganguly said.

Sourav Ganguly has urged the team management to persist with Kuldeep Yadav emphasising how teams had won matches with prominent spinners.

Anshul Kamboj (Image: X)

With 56 wickets in just 13 tests at an average of 22.16, Kuldeep offers variety and bite. Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s most in-form spinner over the last couple of years, however, he did not feature in a single test in the five-match series against England.

India preferred Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in their spin departments in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

“I think England went with four fast bowlers. They left a bit of grass on the wicket—I’m presuming that was deliberate. India have had quality spinners like Jadeja and Ashwin in the past.”

“I really wish Kuldeep had played in Manchester, at Lord’s, and even in Birmingham. Without quality spin, it’s hard to bowl a team out on Day 5,” Ganguly said.

“We saw what happened when India batted—there wasn’t a top-class spinner in England’s attack, and they couldn’t take wickets.”

“In the past, teams had great spinners—whether it was Warne, Muralitharan, England’s Swann and Panesar, or even our own Harbhajan and Kumble. Kuldeep is someone India must persist with. He’s crucial for our future,” added Sourav Ganguly.

Ganguly believes that India should have sealed Lord’s Test and felt Day 04 in Manchester saved them from defeat. Reflecting on the missed opportunity at Lord’s despite scoring 400, he expressed frustration.

He also compared with past tours, noting that how India’s batting unit like in 2002 and 2007 is producing centuries across the order.

“The England team has made quite a few changes for the final Test. Honestly, India should have won the Lord’s Test. In Manchester, it was Day 4 that saved us. It was frustrating to see India score 400 and yet fail to chase 190 at Lord’s,” Ganguly said.

“Back in the 2002 and 2007 tours of England, we had centuries across the batting order—from the openers to the middle and even lower-middle order. I scored, Rahul did, Sehwag did too.”

“And now, in this series, we’re seeing something similar. Everyone in the Indian batting lineup is stepping up with Test hundreds. Shubman Gill has been outstanding. His first century at Headingley was special,” Ganguly added.

“We can’t compare generations. But we’re extremely proud of Indian cricket. When you give players responsibility, they deliver. You can’t compare eras, but the quality of Indian cricket has certainly evolved,” Ganguly added.

India will be looking for a win in the fifth test played at The Kia Oval to avoid a series defeat.