Published By: Sanchari Das

Duleep Trophy: Anshul Kamboj & Vyshak Vijay Kumar - The Lesser-Known Names Who Dismantled IND A's Top Order

India A top order crumbles under the relentless pace of Kamboj and Vyshak

In the final round of the ongoing Duleep Trophy, India A had a jerky start; thanks to two lesser-known bowlers of India C who dismantled India A’s top order. The top order consisting Pratham Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Tilak Kumar and Riyan Parag were all shown the exit in quick succession as none of the mentioned names could register double digit runs. Even Kumar Kushagra and Tanush Kotian were easy wickets for the two bowlers – Anshul Kamboj and Vyshak Vijay Kumar. As Day One is on the verge of ending, let us run through the backgrounds of these two bowlers. 

Anshul Kamboj: A rising star from Haryana

Hailing from Karnal, Haryana, Anshul Kamboj has been making waves in domestic cricket. He recently claimed an eight-wicket haul for India C’s second match in the Duleep Trophy. After bagging five wickets on day three, Kamboj snapped three more early wickets on Day 4, becoming only the third pacer in history to claim such a haul in the prestigious tournament. His victims included big names like Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan, both trapped in front. In first-class cricket, Kamboj now has 35 wickets from 15 matches, a growing testament to his talent.

Anshul Kamboj's impressive journey

Anshul's journey in cricket started gaining attention during Haryana's victorious campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was among the top wicket-takers, with 17 wickets in 10 matches. His performances in the 2023-24 season caught the eye of the Mumbai Indians, earning him a spot in the IPL. Though his debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad was shaky, he showed promise, and experts were quick to note his smooth bowling action and precise seam position. His recent performances in the Duleep Trophy have only cemented his status as a rising star, with 23 wickets from 15 List-A games already to his name.

Vyshak Vijay Kumar: Karnataka's pacer on the rise

Karnataka fast bowler Vyshak Vijay Kumar made headlines with a stellar debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2023 IPL season. His figures of 3/20 against Delhi Capitals set a new record for the best debut spell by an Indian bowler for RCB. Vyshak's impressive bowling dismantled Delhi's top order, including key players like David Warner and Axar Patel. Unsold at the IPL auction, Vyshak's fortunes turned when he was called up as a replacement for the injured Rajat Patidar, and he immediately proved his worth, taking 13 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of 10.56.

Vyshak's consistency in domestic cricket

Vyshak has been a consistent performer in Karnataka's domestic circuit. With 92 wickets from 22 first-class matches, he has showcased his ability to handle pressure and adapt to different conditions. His performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy helped him cement his place in Karnataka's squad. Vyshak's hard-hitting performances continued into the 2024 Duleep Trophy season, where he bagged a match-haul of 5 wickets, including the prized scalps of Shreyas Iyer and Devdutt Padikkal, highlighting his skill at dismissing top-order batters.

A promising future for both bowlers

Both Anshul Kamboj and Vyshak Vijay Kumar have displayed the kind of performance that promises a bright future. While Kamboj has earned his stripes through consistent domestic performances and a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, Vyshak has emerged as a reliable force for Karnataka and RCB. Their ability to dismantle India A's top order demonstrates their potential to succeed at higher levels of competition. With such skill and determination, these two fast bowlers are poised to make a lasting impact on Indian cricket.