Lahli (Haryana), Nov 15: Anshul Kamboj, a 23-year-old fast bowler from Haryana, etched his name into the record books on Friday as he became only the third bowler in the history of the Ranji Trophy to claim all 10 wickets in a single innings. Kamboj achieved this incredible feat during his team’s Group C match against Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Rohtak.
Kamboj’s remarkable performance saw him finish with figures of 10/49 from 30.1 overs, putting him alongside the likes of Premangshu Chatterjee and Pradeep Sundaram, who had previously achieved the same milestone in the country’s premier domestic cricket tournament.
Kamboj Joins Elite Company in Indian Cricket
The last time a bowler claimed all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings was in 1985, when Pradeep Sundaram took 10/78 for Rajasthan against Vidarbha. The first such achievement came in 1956 when Premangshu Chatterjee of Bengal claimed 10/20 against Assam.
Kamboj is the sixth Indian bowler to record a 10-wicket haul in First-Class cricket, joining the ranks of cricketing legends such as Anil Kumble, Subhash Gupte, and Debashish Mohanty. Notably, Kumble’s famous 10/74 against Pakistan in the 1999 Delhi Test remains one of the most iconic performances in cricket history.
Best Bowling Figures in Ranji Trophy History:
- 10/20 – Premangshu Chatterjee – Bengal v Assam (1956-57)
- 10/49 – Anshul Kamboj – Haryana v Kerala (2024-25)
- 10/78 – Pradeep Sundaram – Rajasthan v Vidarbha (1985-86)
Kamboj’s Journey to Glory
Kamboj entered the third day of play with eight wickets to his name and completed his historic achievement by dismissing Basil Thampi and Shoun Roger, securing Kerala’s final wicket. Kerala were bowled out for 291 in their first innings, with Kamboj single-handedly dismantling their batting line-up.
This extraordinary performance also saw Kamboj surpass 50 wickets in First-Class cricket, achieving this milestone in just 19 matches.
A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
The Haryana pacer has been in sensational form this season. Recently, he was picked by Mumbai Indians for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), following an outstanding domestic season. His performances have been a key part of Haryana’s rise in domestic cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kamboj was among the top wicket-takers with 17 wickets in 10 matches, helping Haryana secure their maiden title.
Kamboj’s impressive run continued in the Duleep Trophy, where he became only the third pacer in history to record an eight-wicket haul in the prestigious tournament, behind Debashish Mohanty (10/46) and Ashok Dinda (8/123).
Indian Bowlers with 10-Wicket Hauls in First-Class Cricket:
- 10/20 – Premangshu Chatterjee – Bengal v Assam (1956-57) – Ranji Trophy
- 10/46 – Debasis Mohanty – East Zone v South Zone (2000-01) – Duleep Trophy
- 10/49 – Anshul Kamboj – Haryana v Kerala (2024-25)
- 10/74 – Anil Kumble – India v Pakistan (1999) – Test Match
- 10/78 – Pradeep Sundaram – Rajasthan v Vidarbha (1985-86) – Ranji Trophy
- 10/78 – Subhash Gupte – Bombay v Pakistan Combined Services & Bahawalpur XI (1954-55)
A Bright Future Ahead
Anshul Kamboj’s 10-wicket haul has put him in the spotlight and showcased his potential as one of India’s most promising pacers. With his recent performances and his selection for the IPL, Kamboj is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the country’s finest young talents.
As he continues to break records and inspire a new generation of cricketers, Kamboj’s future in the game looks extremely bright, and his historic achievement in the Ranji Trophy will surely be remembered as one of the standout moments of the 2024-25 season.
