"Bad Games Don't Define Careers": Anshul Kamboj Shines in Auckland After Rough Start
After a match-winning spell in Auckland, Anshul Kamboj opens up about ignoring critics and overcoming a difficult start to his international career.
In the high-pressure world of international cricket, the line between a hero and a scapegoat is often thin. For Indian seamer Anshul Kamboj, that line was vividly clear following a match-winning performance against New Zealand in Auckland. After being named 'Player of the Match', the Haryana pacer reflected on his journey, emphasizing that a few poor outings do not dictate the trajectory of a professional career.
The Auckland Masterclass
While his figures of 2/22 in 10 overs might appear modest to a casual observer, the impact of Kamboj's spell was profound. In a low-scoring first ODI, he acted as the anchor of the Indian bowling attack, creating immense pressure on the Kiwi batters. By conceding only two boundaries and maintaining a high dot-ball percentage, he forced the New Zealand lineup into risky shots and costly mistakes.
Kamboj was instrumental in dismantling the opposition, claiming the crucial wickets of Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith. His discipline helped bowl New Zealand out for 185, setting the stage for a comfortable Indian victory.
Overcoming the 'Debut Nightmares'
The triumph in Auckland served as a stark contrast to the early hurdles Kamboj faced on the global stage. Not long ago, the seamer found himself on the receiving end of a brutal assault by West Indies batters during an ODI in New Chandigarh. In that match, he conceded 82 runs in nine overs, with skipper Shai Hope alone hammering 42 runs off 31 balls, including six fours.
His Test debut against England was similarly challenging, where he went wicketless for a significant stretch, finishing an 18-over spell with figures of 1/89. Despite the hype surrounding his domestic and IPL performances, these early international outings had left him under the scanner of critics.
Ignoring the Noise
Addressing the media after the Auckland win, Kamboj revealed his mental approach to handling failure and the subsequent backlash from fans and experts.
"If someone loses a match, it doesn't decide whether it is good or bad for his career. I was doing the same things from the beginning, and I am still doing the same thing. So, doing bad in a game did not affect me much. I just got the motivation to do better," Kamboj stated.
When asked about the "outside noise" and the extreme reactions often seen in Indian cricket circles, he remained unfazed: "I do not pay much attention to these things. I focus more on my cricket and see how I can improve it. I do not pay attention to what people think about me or what they say about me."
The Technical Approach: Length and Execution
Kamboj attributed his success in Auckland to the conditions and a disciplined adherence to length. He noted that the wicket offered significant seam and purchase, making it vital to hit the right areas.
Interestingly, he dismissed the idea that ground dimensions play a major role when the pitch is helpful. "There are small grounds in India as well. So dimensions do not really make a difference," he explained, adding that a bowler should focus on the surface rather than the boundary ropes.
The Mental Divide: Batting vs. Bowling
Known for his ability to contribute with the bat as well, Kamboj shared his secret to managing the dual demands of being an all-rounder: absolute compartmentalization.
- When Batting: He completely shuts out thoughts of bowling.
- When Bowling: He ignores his batting responsibilities.
He further revealed that the team management has encouraged him to prioritize execution over results. He believes that if the execution is correct, the runs conceded are secondary, and the results will eventually follow.
India's Dominant Victory
The match in Auckland was a comprehensive team effort. While Arshdeep Singh led the charge with a four-wicket haul and Gurnoor Brar chipped in with three, Kamboj's tight bowling ensured New Zealand could not recover. On the batting front, Virat Kohli dominated the proceedings, smashing 74 off 51 balls (including 13 fours) to guide India to a revised target of 143 in 32 overs, despite several rain interruptions.