Anshul Kamboj: From Ranji 10-wicket haul to IPL death-overs king for CSK

Key facts

• Kamboj has taken 17 wickets in 9 IPL 2026 matches, tied with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for most wickets.
• He claimed 10 wickets for 49 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala on November 15, 2024.
• Kamboj has 10 wickets in overs 16-20 this season, the most by any bowler.
• His dot-ball percentage in death overs (50%) is matched only by Mohammed Siraj's 2024 mark in the Impact player era.
• He bowls predominantly from round the wicket, switching lengths between Powerplay (83% good/short) and death (74% full).
• CSK's win over MI kept them in playoff contention, with a superior net run-rate among bottom-six teams.

A new death-over specialist emerges in Chennai

Anshul Kamboj, the 25-year-old fast bowler from Haryana, has become the linchpin of Chennai Super Kings' bowling attack in IPL 2026, a role starkly different from his previous seasons. In 2024 and 2025, he bowled 82.54% of his overs in the Powerplay; this year, he has been entrusted with the death overs, and the results have been spectacular. Kamboj has taken 10 wickets in overs 16-20, three more than any other bowler, and his economy rate of 8.6 in that phase is bettered only by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lungi Ngidi. His dot-ball percentage of 50% is the highest among seamers with at least 10 death overs in the Impact player era, equalling Mohammed Siraj's 2024 mark.

From Ranji record to IPL limelight

Kamboj's rise has been swift. On November 15, 2024, he took all 10 wickets for 49 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Kerala, joining Anil Kumble in the elite group of bowlers with a 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket. That performance, combined with his IPL exploits, has put him in contention for a spot in the Indian team for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June. In 20 IPL matches overall, Kamboj has taken 27 wickets at an average of 20.56. This season alone, he has 17 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 15.82, tying him with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the top of the Purple Cap standings.

Mastering the death overs: length and angle

Kamboj's success in the death overs stems from a deliberate change in length and angle. In the Powerplay, he bowls 83.33% of deliveries on a good length or back-of-a-length, taking all four of his new-ball wickets from that zone. In the last five overs, he switches to full deliveries 73.7% of the time, using yorkers and slightly shorter balls to yield 4/49 at an economy of 7.35. He operates predominantly from round the wicket, making it difficult for batters to line up big strokes. His false-shot percentage of 33.3% in the death overs is second only to Jamie Overton's 34.4% among bowlers with at least eight overs in the phase.

A tactical asset for CSK's combination

Historically, CSK relied on overseas quicks like Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, and Matheesha Pathirana for death bowling. Kamboj's emergence as an Indian death bowler allows the team to field Akeal Hosein as an additional overseas option, creating a more balanced attack. In their recent match against Mumbai Indians, CSK fielded only three overseas players, with Kamboj playing a key role in restricting MI to 159/7 after they were 99/2 at the 10.3-over mark. CSK's comprehensive win kept them in playoff contention, with a better net run-rate than other teams in the bottom six. Even if they miss out, the team appears to be building the right combination for future editions.

Rayudu's critique and Kamboj's response

Despite his success, former CSK player Ambati Rayudu has noted that Kamboj still needs to improve his slower ball. Rayudu, who has observed Kamboj's development, acknowledged that the bowler can now operate in all phases of the game. Kamboj's ability to adapt was evident against RCB in Bengaluru, where he was taken for runs but bounced back with 9/61 in nine death overs at an economy of 6.77 and a dot-ball percentage of 50. His yorker that uprooted Tim David's leg-stump in that match was called a no-ball for overstepping, a rare blemish in an otherwise stellar season.

What lies ahead for Kamboj and CSK

With the IPL playoffs race tightening, CSK's fate hinges on their remaining matches. Kamboj's form will be crucial, as he has become the team's go-to bowler in the death overs. His performances have also sparked discussions about a potential call-up to the Indian national team for the Afghanistan series in June. For now, Kamboj remains focused on the IPL, where his transformation from a Powerplay bowler to a death-over specialist has been one of the standout stories of the season. His ability to switch lengths and angles, combined with his dot-ball prowess, makes him a formidable weapon in the shortest format.

The bottom line

• Anshul Kamboj has taken 17 wickets in IPL 2026, tied for the most, with 10 coming in death overs.
• He holds the record for most wickets in overs 16-20 this season and has the highest dot-ball percentage among seamers in the Impact player era.
• Kamboj's Ranji Trophy 10-wicket haul (10/49) in November 2024 put him in elite company with Anil Kumble.
• His tactical shift from Powerplay to death bowling has allowed CSK to field a more balanced overseas combination.
• Kamboj is in contention for India selection for the one-off Test and ODI series against Afghanistan in June.
• Despite his success, Ambati Rayudu has pointed out that Kamboj's slower ball needs improvement.