The arrival in the textile city of uncapped Haryana pacer as cover speaks to how thinly India’s fast-bowling resources are spread at the moment.
Kamboj linked up with the Test squad ahead of the fourth match, beginning at Old Trafford on Wednesday, and while he is officially only a ‘cover’, the possibility of a debut cannot be ruled out.
Setbacks for Gill & Co
India’s woes, revolving largely around the chronic back issue surrounding Jasprit Bumrah, have been exacerbated by Akash Deep’s groin niggle and a cut to his bowling hand sustained by left-armer during mid-week training in Beckenham which necessitated stitches.
As things stand, Bumrah is scheduled to play only one of the two remaining Tests, not ideal given how much is on the line over the next fortnight. Deep himself missed the Sydney Test in January with a back injury, after which he spent time at the National Cricket Academy (now the Centre of Excellence) in Bengaluru before rejoining Lucknow Super Giants, for whom he played only six games. He celebrated his Test comeback with 10 wickets during India’s 336-run win in Birmingham earlier in the month, but whether he will be available for selection for the next Test remains to be seen.
One man who appears immune to the issues of workload overdose is , who in the last two and a half years has figured in 24 of India’s 27 Tests. Since January 1, 2023, the Hyderabadi has sent down 569.4 overs – only behind Aussies Pat Cummins (721.2) and Mitchell Starc (665.1) – and picked up 67 Test wickets. Siraj is a tireless workhorse capable of bowling long spells without losing intensity and it’s a credit to his fitness and commitment that he hardly figures in any discussion surrounding the management of workload. In this series alone, Siraj has bowled 109 overs, 10 more than second-placed left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja among Indians.
Unsettled bowling attack
Bumrah, Deep and Siraj formed India’s specialist pace attack at Lord’s, with Nitish Kumar Reddy slotting in as an all-rounder. The quick bowlers in reserve in Arshdeep’s absence are Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur. Thakur was dropped after the Leeds defeat, while Prasidh played in the first two Tests before making way for Bumrah at Lord’s. Kamboj will undoubtedly bowl numerous overs at nets in the days leading up to the Test, but he could be in contention if one of Bumrah or Deep doesn’t play in Manchester. Perhaps, that could be seen as a lack of confidence in Prasidh and Thakur, or as a show of faith in Kamboj, a seam exponent whose skills might come in handy in Manchester.
The 24-year-old, rated very highly by his Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, has taken 79 wickets in 24 first-class games, including four in his last outing, for India ‘A’ against the England Lions in Northampton at the beginning of May. There is no doubting his place in the scheme of things, though it’s worth pointing out that at the start of the tour, Harshit Rana was drafted in as cover for the Leeds Test before being released. Addled thinking, or short-term masterstroke?