Anshul Kamboj’s rise reached a major new milestone on Saturday as the Haryana pacer made his India ODI debut against the West Indies in Chandigarh. Handed his cap by Virat Kohli, Kamboj stepped onto the field for his first international white-ball appearance with a chance that arrived sooner than many expected.
The debut came after a quick turn of events in India’s squad. Kamboj was drafted in after Prasidh Krishna suffered a hamstring injury during the second ODI, opening the door for the 25-year-old to join the senior setup in the middle of India’s series build-up.
A sudden call-up, a big stage
Kamboj’s journey to the India XI had been moving fast even before this game. He was part of the India A squad in Puducherry and had featured in the second unofficial Test against Australia A before being called up to the senior team.
That switch meant his progress was interrupted, but also accelerated. He had already impressed with the ball, taking 3/34 from 17.3 overs against Australia A, showing the kind of discipline and control that has made him a consistent domestic performer.
Virat Kohli presents the cap
The moment became especially memorable when Kohli handed Kamboj his India cap before the match. For any debutant, that is a career-defining sight, and for Kamboj it marked the start of a long-awaited international chapter.
India captain Shubman Gill underlined the team’s focus on building combinations for the future, saying the side is still learning more about its bowling unit as it moves closer to the World Cup. “The more they play together, it’s going to make a huge difference for us,” Gill said at the toss.
Why India trusted Kamboj
The call-up was not just about filling a vacancy. Kamboj has put together a strong domestic record across formats, which has steadily pushed him into the national conversation.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 37 | 113 | 24.06 |
| List A | 35 | 56 | 22.41 |
| T20 | 55 | 76 | 20.92 |
| IPL | 25 | 31 | – |
His numbers show a bowler who has been productive across formats, not just in one short burst. In the IPL, he has also added value with Chennai Super Kings, taking 21 wickets in 14 matches for the franchise during IPL 2026.
“This is the kind of opportunity domestic cricket prepares you for,” one team observer noted, pointing to Kamboj’s steady rise through the system.
India continue to test their combinations
India made three changes to their playing XI for the third ODI, bringing back Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mohammed Siraj while giving Kamboj his long-awaited debut. Auqib Nabi, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna made way in a match that already carried a series-decider feel, even with India having secured the series earlier.
For Kamboj, the timing is crucial. India’s management wants depth, variety and competition in the pace unit, especially as the team works toward major tournament planning. A debut in these circumstances is not just symbolic; it is part of a larger audition.
What the debut means going forward
For India, Kamboj offers another seam-bowling option with domestic mileage and recent match fitness. For the player, the step up is both reward and responsibility. He has earned the call, but now the bigger task is turning selection into lasting value.
The West Indies series may already be decided, yet the third ODI still mattered for India’s squad shaping. Kamboj’s debut adds another layer to that story, giving the selectors a closer look at a bowler who has climbed quickly through the system and now has his first ODI cap in hand.
If his domestic record is any guide, this may only be the beginning of a longer international run.
