Ravi Shastri calls Anshul Kamboj ‘workhorse’ ahead of India vs New Zealand Tests

Ravi Shastri Backs Anshul Kamboj for India’s Test Tour of New Zealand

With India’s ongoing ODI series against New Zealand approaching its conclusion, attention is beginning to turn toward the upcoming two-Test contest between the sides. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has added an intriguing name to the selection conversation, urging the team management to consider emerging fast bowler Anshul Kamboj for the first Test.

The series is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19 and forms part of the World Test Championship cycle. For India, choosing the right bowling combination will be a major talking point. Conditions in New Zealand can reward pace and movement, but the team will also need bowlers capable of maintaining pressure over long spells. Shastri believes Kamboj could offer precisely that balance.

Why Shastri Sees Kamboj as a Valuable Test Option

India’s pace resources include experienced spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep. The final playing XI is likely to depend on the pitch, weather and workload considerations, with the team management having to decide how many specialist quicks to select.

Shastri’s case for Kamboj is based less on reputation than on the role he could perform. Test cricket in New Zealand can demand patience from fast bowlers: conditions may be windy, spells can be physically taxing, and batters often look to see off the new ball before scoring freely. A bowler who can keep running in, hit a consistent line and hold one end could allow India’s strike bowlers to attack at the other.

“In a country like New Zealand, in Test match cricket, you will need a workhorse,” Shastri said during a Sony Sports discussion. He described Kamboj as a player who could bowl around 15 overs and help keep pressure on the opposition, particularly when conditions become difficult.

A Workhorse Who Can Still Take Wickets

Shastri also pointed to Kamboj’s ability to contribute during the middle overs. In a Test match, those periods can shape the direction of an innings. If a side cannot break partnerships after the opening burst, the opposition may settle in and take control. India have often turned to spin in such situations, but Shastri noted that fast bowlers have recently played an important role in taking wickets during the middle phase.

He credited the performances of Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar in helping India move ahead in the ongoing ODI series. The third match was abandoned because of heavy rain, but the broader conversation around India’s bowling has continued. Shastri’s point is that Kamboj’s value may extend beyond limited-overs cricket: accuracy, stamina and the ability to generate movement can all translate into a useful Test role.

His comments do not guarantee a place in the XI. Rather, they offer a selection prediction worth watching as India assess the conditions in Wellington and the demands of a two-Test series. A bowler who can deliver long, controlled spells may be especially useful if the weather is unsettled or the pitch offers movement early on.

Batting Ability Adds to Kamboj’s Appeal

Kamboj’s case is strengthened by his potential to contribute with the bat. Shastri noted that the fast bowler can strike the ball and provide useful runs from the lower order. In Test cricket, those contributions can be significant: a tailender who adds even a modest partnership can help turn a competitive total into a challenging one.

The former coach also highlighted Kamboj’s experience in domestic cricket with Haryana. Regularly bowling across formats can help a young player develop the stamina and discipline required for longer spells, while exposure to different match situations can improve decision-making. Shastri described him as someone who has done considerable work in domestic cricket and appears suited to the demands of New Zealand conditions.

That experience could matter if India need a bowler to maintain control while Bumrah or Siraj are rested between attacking spells. Kamboj’s accuracy, according to Shastri, could make him a practical option when India need to limit scoring as well as search for breakthroughs.

India’s Selection Challenge in Wellington

India’s final combination will depend on several factors, including the surface, forecast and the balance between pace and spin. Wellington’s weather can be changeable, and wind may influence both swing and a bowler’s workload. If conditions favour seam movement, India could opt for an additional fast bowler. If the pitch is drier or expected to slow down, the team may need to adjust its attack accordingly.

The challenge is not simply choosing the most celebrated names. Test selection often comes down to matching a player’s strengths to the job required on a particular surface. A strike bowler can change a session with a burst of wickets, while a reliable workhorse can prevent the opposition from building momentum. Shastri’s recommendation frames Kamboj as the latter kind of option—one who could support India’s established quicks and give the captain more flexibility.

For captain Shubman Gill and the selection panel, the decision will involve balancing experience, current form and conditions. Kamboj’s inclusion would represent a vote of confidence in his domestic performances and his ability to handle a demanding role at the highest level. It would also give India another pace option capable of contributing with both ball and bat.

A Selection Prediction to Follow

As the ODI series gives way to the Test build-up, Shastri’s endorsement has placed Anshul Kamboj firmly in the conversation. India already have several established fast bowlers available, so a place in the XI will not be straightforward. But the qualities Shastri identified—long-spell stamina, accuracy, movement and lower-order batting—could make Kamboj a compelling choice if the conditions call for an extra seamer.

The prediction, therefore, is not that Kamboj is certain to start, but that his role deserves serious consideration. In New Zealand, where patience and persistence can be as important as raw pace, a dependable bowler who can hold an end may prove valuable. India’s final selection will reveal whether the management shares Shastri’s view that the emerging Haryana quick could be the workhorse the attack needs.