Ranji Trophy history maker's inclusion in India's Manchester Test squad excites former international

Former India spinner R Ashwin said India's pace attack can be improved by including uncapped seamer Anshul Kamboj, who is part of the squad for the fourth Test against England in Manchester, starting July 23.

Harayana native Kamboj has been added to the squad after injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.

Ashwin said Kamboj can make the pace attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj better because of his unique qualities.

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"If you are going to bring Anshul Kamboj into the XI, I am telling you this is a serious bowling attack," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat'.

Kamboj is a history-maker in India's domestic cricket, bagging a perfect 10-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy match against Kerala last season.

"People will say that Anshul will play his first Test. He hasn't played in England, but he was there in the A tour. He has been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He is averaging around 13. He took 10 wickets in an innings," Ashwin said.

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Ashwin is excited about Kamboj's inclusion in the squad as he sees similarities with retired pacer Zaheer Khan. "The appreciable thing about Anshul is that he understands the plan. I have seen so many fast bowlers. If you ask them about the plan, they just say they want to express themselves and enjoy the game," Ashwin said.

"But Anshul understands plans and also knows how to execute in the middle. It's not a trait many fast bowlers possess. Zaheer Khan was one of them. He was amazing. In recent times, Jassi (Bumrah) is one player who understands the plans and executes them to perfection. Anshul belongs to that variety."

After defeat at Lord's, India trail the five-match series 1-2 and will be desperate to draw level at Manchester.

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