Indian cricket just served up another head-scratcher. Before the high-stakes England Test series, Anshul Kamboj — one of the brightest rising pacers — has been dropped, while Harshit Rana has been included in the squad.
And here's the kicker: Kamboj outperformed Rana on the same tour.
Let’s unpack this.
Anshul Kamboj was one of the standout players for India A against England Lions. He picked 5 wickets in 2 matches, and even contributed with a gritty half-century. Earlier, in the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup, he bagged the Player of the Match against Pakistan Shaheens with a 3/20 spell. His IPL 2024 performance for CSK — 8 wickets in 8 matches — was among the few positives for a team that finished last. His domestic record? 79 wickets in 24 Ranji Trophy matches. That’s consistency across formats and levels.
In contrast, Harshit Rana played only one game vs the Lions — 1 wicket for 99 runs. His two-Test experience in Australia last year brought 4 wickets — all in one match — followed by a wicketless outing in Adelaide. Not terrible, but not earth-shattering either.
So what’s the logic?
Experience? Maybe. But Kamboj has been in top form. Rana’s recent numbers don’t outshine him in any format. The decision feels less like a merit-based call and more like a selection by memory.
The disappointment isn’t just Kamboj’s — it’s shared by every domestic cricketer who believes performance will be rewarded. And under Gautam Gambhir’s watch, known for valuing grit and form, this move feels off-brand.
If Indian cricket really wants to build a fearless, form-first setup — it can’t afford to keep sidelining players like Kamboj, especially after they’ve proven themselves on every stage they've been given.
