CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings are having an average season but medium pacer Anshul Kamboj seems to be their breakout star. With 17 scalps in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.54, including 3-32 against Mumbai Indians on Saturday, Kamboj has been the leader of CSK’s attack in both the powerplay and slog overs. With the wickets of Robin Minz and Hardik Pandya in the 18th and 20th overs at Chepauk on Saturday, Kamboj became the first player this season to claim 10 wickets in the death overs.
The right-arm seamer has been treating the death overs as a final act that he had rehearsed to perfection. He has been spinning extensively between the stumps, especially with the right-handed batsmen, changing his length depending on the phase of the game and has landed yorkers regularly.
CSK coach Stephen Fleming does not believe Kamboj’s heroics came as a surprise. “Last year, he was really good. He worked hard with Eric Simons (bowling coach) around the concept of deathbowling and worked throughout the year to master it,” Fleming said.
Last IPL season, Kamboj took eight wickets in eight games with an economy of 8.00. Soon after, he stepped onto the biggest stage and made his India Test debut, but his results against England were not strong enough to secure him a long career.
This season, however, he has returned with more bite and has taken on a central role in CSK’s attacking rhythm after Khaleel Ahmed’s injury.
Fleming said Kamboj worked on angles and execution in the preseason. “During pre-season, he bowled with open wickets and we understood the angles – what he can and can’t do from certain sides of the wicket and it worked well,” he added.
India has plenty of cricket ahead of it after the IPL in all formats and Kamboj’s stellar show could soon take him back to the domestic fast bowling set-up. But for Kamboj, the team’s performance surpasses personal milestones. Before the clash against MI, he said: “My focus is exclusively on how to contribute to the team’s victory.”
CSK will go into winning mode from Tuesday and the team will hope that Kamboj continues to lead by example.
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