"He is the man who could be your workhorse" - Ravi Shastri on CSK star ahead of NZ vs IND 2026 Tests

Former India player Ravi Shastri has opined that Anshul Kamboj could be a useful bowler in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. He pointed out that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seamer could be a workhorse for the visitors.

India will face New Zealand in two Tests, with the first game scheduled to be played in Wellington from November 19 onwards. Kamboj is among the five frontline seamers in the visitors' 16-member squad, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep being the others.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Shastri noted that Kamboj could be useful in the middle overs in the Test series against New Zealand and might also prove handy with the bat.

"He can bat as well. So that comes in handy for Anshul. In the middle overs in a Test match or in an ODI game, you have got to have bowlers who have the ability to take wickets. Why India is 2‑0 up is because of the performance of Anshul and Gurnoor Brar. In those middle overs where India normally go to spin to pick up wickets, it's the fast bowlers who have done the job," the former India all-rounder said.

"In a country like New Zealand, in Test match cricket, you will need a workhorse, and I think he is the man who could be your workhorse - someone like a Kamboj, who can come and bowl you those 15 overs and block one end up, especially when the going gets tough, when it's very windy and things of that sort," he added.

Anshul Kamboj picked up a solitary wicket and conceded 89 runs in 18 overs against England last year in the only Test he has played to date. He has accounted for 126 wickets at an average of 23.30 in 40 First-class games.

"He comes across as a bloke who has done a lot of bowling" - Ravi Shastri on Anshul Kamboj

In the same discussion, Ravi Shastri noted that Anshul Kamboj has put in the hard yards in domestic cricket.

"He comes across as a bloke who has done a lot of bowling in domestic cricket for Haryana and across formats. I think he will be very useful in these conditions. Sometimes you have got to pick blokes as horses for courses. He is the kind of guy who hits the bat. He is accurate," he said.

The former India head coach added that the right-arm pacer can make the most of the seamer-friendly conditions in New Zealand.

"More importantly, if there is something there in the surface, the ball will nibble, he hits the bat, and he can get the ball to go both ways and surprise the batter. I think a welcome addition. You have got to build your bench strength as a fast bowling unit, and I think he is one of them. For New Zealand, South Africa, and England, he becomes a good choice," Shastri observed.

Ravi Shastri highlighted that Anshul Kamboj's pace has also increased as he is getting bowling fit. The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the 25-year-old comes across as someone who wants to catch the bull by the horns.

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